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The Christ of the Ages 

IN WORDS OF HOLY WRIT 



Being the Story of Jesus drawn from the Old and 
New Testaments , and Compiled by 



WM. NORMAN GUTHRIE 



TV? i(TTLV 6 VLK&V TOV KOtT/AOV 
€1 fXY] 6 TTLCTTCVdiV OTl 'I^(TOVS 

eorriv 6 mo? toO ©£o9; 




THE WESTERN LITERARY PRESS 
CINCINNATI, OHIO 



Fthf" I «3Ff ARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

DFC. yg 1905? 

COPVWOWT ENTRY 

CLAS8 £o'xXp No. 

cory 8. 



Copyright, 1902, by 
The Western Literary Press 



XTo mi? /l&otber, 

AND TO THE ILLUMINATED TEACHER 
AND GODLY MAN, 

TTbe IRcv. He fl>. 2>u ffiosc, S. XL 2)., 

THIS COMPILATION IS 
INSCRIBED, 
WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE 



FOREWORD 



A TO one who conceives all poetry as an effort to give 
▼ utterance to worship — an artistic ritual of adora- 
tion, will fail to ask himself, why there has been no 
poem on the Christ. Milton ventured to deal with the 
temptation in poetico-theologic manner; Klopj 'stock in 
an evil hour strove to adorn the gospel story with 
" beautiful inventions/' Edwin Arnold, who made the 
"Light of Asia" shine wherever English is spoken, lost 
heart and cunning when he attempted to show forth the 
"Light of the World/' The greatest theme ought to be 
also the easiest theme; for the worship being absolute 
the words ought assuredly to be most inspired! Was it 
from a lack of real honest worship for the heroic, the 
beautiful, the divine ? Or was it because the poet 
deemed the Gospel story sufficient, and dared not at- 
tempt to better the best? 

Much as we prize the Gospels, however, it is clear 
that from them, as they stand, we can not easily obtain 
a portrait of the Master. They are chronicles; not his- 

7 



FOREWORD 



tories, much less epics. Actuated by this reflection, I 
ventured to ponder a poem, which should freely use the 
Bible materials, and offer a portrait of the Christ. 

But the Christ is He we see — not He alone whom 
the Gospels give. We have for centuries labored to 
emphasize, this and that in the story. We have enriched 
the New Testament with whatever we most loved in 
the Old. Our Jesus is as much from the Psalter, from 
Isaiah, from Genesis and Kings, as from the Gospels. 
The Apocalypse, and the kindred parts of Ezekiel and 
Daniel; Proverbs, the Wisdom of Solomon, and the 
Book of Job — all have helped to paint for us the por- 
trait of the Son of man. It is not a question of Mes- 
sianic intent in the Old Testament. It is merely a mat- 
ter of Christian appropriation. The New Testament 
has set out to conquer and annex the Old. Let the 
higher critics prove, if they can, that such conquests 
are illegitimate and violent — the Christian conscious- 
ness smiles lovingly and amused at these learned pro- 
testers, and goes on conquering and to conquer in spite 
of caveats, and sorrowful appeals to the historic sense. 
And the Christian consciousness is right. The figure 
of the Christ is but indicated in the gospels. As cen- 
turies go on, He becomes more distinct. The farther 
the nearer, thanks to the improved perspective. De- 
mands make us suspect supply ; more than that, make 

8 



FOREWORD 



us sure of its existence in Him. If the Old Testament 
here or there suggests that the like demand was made 
before our era, then may zve not use those expres- 
sions — irrespective of context — to express what we 
know was in and of the Christ f 

So it seemed to me quite clear that I must order my 
material as the Christian consciousness had already 
ordered it, proportion it accordingly, and utilize what- 
ever would assist in filling out actual silences, or serve 
to knit closely parts left in the Gospels disconnected. 
The Christian year thus became my guide: — 

Advent: The Coming. 

Epiphany: The Shozving. 

Lent: The Testing. 

Holy Thursday 



The Tragedy. 
The Glorification. 



Good Friday 
Easter 

The Ascension 
Whitsunday 

only with this innovation, that the Feast of the Trans- 
figuration zvas felt to be the needed beginning of the 
Tragedy, and the "Second Coming" required to com- 
plete the whole. The "Messianic" material of the Old 
Testament could be utilised to prepare for the Story of 
the Birth; and to till in the forty days in the Wilder- 
ness. The temptations turned on "if thou be the Son 

9 



FOREWORD 



of God;" then clearly the period was -filled with 
thoughts of what such divine sonship meant; and the 
thoughts of Jesus must have included all the great 
things in the Old Testament zvhich would help to set 
forth that meaning; else would the Temptations be 
formally resisted with Scripture quotations? 
So the scheme was clearly developed: 
I. The Incarnation. 

II. The Temptation. 

III. The Transfiguration. 

IV. The Messianic Entrance. 
V. The Passover. 

VI. The Passion. 
VII. The Risen Christ. 
VIII. A Vision of Last Things. 
When, after great labor, the materials were gath- 
ered and ordered — a sort of "Harmony" produced; the 
selection of the best with reference to simplicity was 
made by elimination of what could best be spared, 
{only one preaching, only one healing, and so forth. — ) 
lest there be repetitions, and a disturbance of that feel- 
ing that it was He we were concerned zvith, rather than 
his words or deeds. When this difficult and often ap- 
parently quite arbitrary process reached its natural 
end — nothing remained to do but write the Poem. Ah, 
that "nothing" proved to be everything. I was unable 

10 



FOREWORD 



to do it. Who could improve in the main on the lan- 
guage of the Authorized Version? Obscure places 
could be helped by use of the "Revised" — or by inser- 
tions from some other Biblical passage of the appro- 
priate phrase — but, on the whole — improve on the lan- 
guage? May be a Shakespeare and Milton in one 
might — but even then only for such as had not heard 
from childhood the rhythm and diction of the "Great 
Bible" and the "Authorized" ! 

So, not being wholly deprived of reason by zeal, I 
gave up the enterprise. Yet not wholly to lose my ardu- 
ous labors, not altogether to fail in presenting "the 
Christ of the Ages" I resigned myself to the humble 
task of making a mere mosaic of Scripture. Only two 
or three phrases in it are not actually Biblical, and they 
are from the Book of Enoch — or are quite unnoticeably 
used as connectives. 

The result, hozvever, was troublesome. The pieces of 
the Mosaic stood apart from one another too sharply. 
A cement must be found to fill the crevices. This de- 
manded some measure of rearrangement of words, 
structural inversions, syntactical changes; and these in 
turn needed to be "licensed" — wherefore verse seemed 
absolutely necessary. But what verse? Into the Eng- 
lish so called "iambic pentameter" or "regular" blank 
verse it was quite impossible to cast the Bible language 

ii 



FOREWORD 



which is so largely anapaestic in movement. Hence the 
free "loose" blank verse, as used by the later Jacobean 
dramatists was resorted to — which ranges from "prose" 
cut in lines of five rhythmic beats, to eloquent se- 
quences of the characteristic alternate stress* 

Thus did the "Christ of the Ages in Words of Holy 
Writ" come to be compiled. The History of the Com- 
pilation is its apology, if such be needed. But if a fur- 
ther apology for publication should seem necessary — 
then let this be set down: — an attempt that should be 
judged a failure zvill serve as a prophecy of the desired 
success. Some one will condemn this attempt, and do 
better! If so, then the publication will have served to 
supplant itself, which is the highest aim of every honest 
piece of work however ambitious — to breed its better, 
and pass out hailing a fairer advent! Meanwhile, there 
may be some who will find this Compilation, such as it 
is, not unuseful. If so, may they use it! With which 
Godspeed — let the Foreword end and the Compilation 
begin. W. N. Guthrie:. 

* See Beaumont and Fletcher's or Massinger's Plays. 



12 



CONTENTS 



I. The Incarnation 

II. The Temptation 

III. The Transfiguration 

IV. The Messianic Entrance 
V. The Passover 

VI. The Passion 

VII. The Risen Christ 

VIII. A Vision of the Last Things 



Transcript I 

C^e incarnation 



The soul's 
need of a 
divine rev- 
elation de- 
clared, and 
the time 
thereof 
called into 
question 



IO 



15 



Canst thou, O Soul, by searching find out God, 

thy heart's desire, life of thy secret life, 

in splendor man may not approach unto 

dwelling, immortal ; whom no eye hath seen, 

or can see ever, wrapped in the thick dark 

of utter human blindness ? Yet the strong, 

the true, the wise have striven to hear, see, hold, 

sound of the voice, shine of the countenance, 

hem of the garment, yea, the very Self — 

unspeakable beauty, bodiless glory occult, 

music' creative, thrilling the vast hush 

of formless void. From man whom thou hast made 

expressly Thee in life, in death to seek, 

why hidest thou thyself, O God ? How long 

ere, harkening, Thou wilt answer to his call ? 

Not till, he stand thy fellow at length, and shout 

ecstatical for joy of his own life 

omnipotent, divine? 



In answer 
to prayer, 
an appari- 
tion of 
the ancient 
seers of 
God 



Silence, my soul, 
thy prayer is surely heard. For who be they 
20 rising serene — visions not of the night, 
dazzling the day? The spirits of just men 
made perfect, saints that saw and lived, that see 
forever undying, the Invisible God? 
2 17 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Lo ! th' pure in heart of old, the blessed dead — 
25 an holy multitude innumerable 

thronging the heaven, and some methinks appear 
familiar : — 



Adam's Adam first, the son of God, 

desire to the father of all living, he who chose 

be as God rather than idle bliss in Eden, death, 

30 that he might know, eyes open, good from ill 



fear 



and be as God. Who, seeing then himself 
dust of the ground and naked, (ignorant 
that in his nostrils was the breath of life, 
yea, and His after whose likeness man was formed) 
35 hid for shame his face when, through the trees 
in the cool of day, God passed. 



Enoch's Behold, again: 

vision of Enoch the fearless seer that walked with God 
the Son of - m humble intimacy ; and, lifted up, 
saw the elect, the preexistent Son 
40 of man, — of woman, — worshipped ; kings and lords 
earth's potentates, their faces to the dust 
doing Him reverence, who is judge of all, 
wielding dominion in the heavens, — his seat 
the supreme throne of glory ; — and having seen, 
45 by faith translated, Enoch saw not death, — 
he was not, for God took him. 



Noah and 
his pledge 
of God's 
goodwill 



Lo ! the man 
who did according unto all the Lord 
commanded him, and in the cloud beheld 

18 



THE INCARNATION 



his bow of promise spanning the green earth : 
50 token of an eternal covenant 
unto all flesh. 



Job's re- 
pentance 
that he 
judged 
of God by 
holy 
hearsay 



Lo ! he, once sorely tried, 
who though God slew him yet would trust in God, 
who, when, out of a whirlwind from the North 
lurid and wonderful, his God at last 

55 spake, and declared the foundations of the earth, 

the springs of the sea, the door of the shadow of death, 
the excellency and beauty of the Lord, 
the glory and terror of his holy arm, 
abhorred himself, crying : "I heard of thee 

60 by the hearing of the ear. But now, mine eye 
seeth Thee." 



Abraham 
the friend 
of God 



Lo, the patriarch, friend of God 
which called him out of Uz (Himself his shield 
and his exceeding great reward) and brought 
the old man childless forth alone at night 

65 bidding him look toward heaven and tell the stars 
if he could number them, swearing his seed 
as they should be, — and Abraham doubted not. 
Yea, at an altar when the sun went down, 
and horror of great darkness fell on him, 

70 a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, 

the Lord, to promise him the land, appeared, 
and often met him afterward, and spake 
face to face with him. 



19 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jacob, 
renamed 
Israel 



Lo ! one following close, 
Jacob, supplanter, which in dream beheld 

75 the stair of heaven, whereon the angels passed 
ascending and descending ; and, one night, 
years after, wrestled in an agony, 
but when the day brake, weary, yet prevailed 
and won a blessing, though the holy name 

80 of Him, he strove with, remained secret still. 



Moses and 
his prayer 
for knowl- 
edge of 
God 



And lo ! the meek man, awful lawgiver, 
king in Jeshuron, not content with seeing, 
(he, and his nobles chosen from Israel,) 
the feet of God rest on a pavement clear 
85 as the sapphire body of heaven ; prayed to be shown 
himself the perfect glory. Wherefore, hid 
in a cleft rock, the goodness of the Lord 
passed by before him, and the name divine 
"I will be that I am" in thunder pealed. 



David, and 
the Lord 
of hosts 



Elijah, 
who heard 
God, and 
was 
translated 



9° Behold the youth which slew in the Lord's might 
the Philistine reviler ; — outlaw, king, 
warrior and sweet psalm-singer, — saw he not 
his God in Zion, horrible, prepared 
for battle with the foes of righteousness, 

95 shaking the earth, the sea, the firmament ? — 
Yet, crowned forever above storm? 

Behold 

fearing not kings nor tumults, fugitive 

from woman's wrath, Elijah, he that knew 

God was not in the great strong wind which rent 



20 



THE INCARNATION 



100 the mountains, nor in earthquake, nor in fire 
roaring, but in the still small Voice ; wherefore 
the chariot of fire, the steeds of fire 
appeared, and by a whirlwind went he up 
to heaven. 



Isaiah's Lo, a gentler prophet, he that saw 

vision of IQ 5 in th' temple the Lord sitting on a throne, 
in the whose train did fill the courts, while seraphim 
temple stood by the throne and one to the other cried 
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts !" 
At sound whereof the great door-pillars shook, 
1 10 the temple gloomed with smoke, and the seer wailed : 
"Woe 's me, for now mine eyes have seen the King !' 

EzekieVs 

vision of Lo, Ezekiel, the priest, by Chebar's stream 
the throne watching a cloud, — a brightness — from whose midst 
the amber storm-light shone ; and cherubim 
IX 5 six- winged, of fire; and beryl wheels in wheels 
that came and went as lightning at the will 
of their One Spirit ; and over these stretched forth 
of terrible crystal a firmament, whereon beamed 
the sapphire throne, and He which sat therein 
120 a living flame, around whom spread the bow 
an emerald sheen of hope. 

Danieland Then Daniel 

John be- by the river Hiddekel, pleasing to God, 
hold the^ an( ^ j 0 h n) on Patmos Isle, clearer than he, 
on of God were vouchsafed the same vision glorious: 

21 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



125 Ancient of days, his hair as new-fallen snow- 
on Hermon Hill ; the sun in noon-day fierce, 
his face ; the eyes like the white flame ; seven stars 
in his right hand, out of his mouth a sword 
two edged, keen, smiting the hypocrite ; 

130 his feet as molten brass from th' furnace poured; 
his voice pronouncing doom, like shout of host, 
or sound of many waters — yea, of seas 
roaring to the abyss ! 



Prayer 
for a 
revelation 
to the 

humble 



O God, O God, 
they that have seen thee live, and in their face 
135 shineth a bliss perpetual, heroes, priests, 

kings, prophets, — pure in heart — thy servants strong. 
But, Lord, wilt thou not show thyself to us 
ev'n unto us also feeble though we be ? 



Bethlehem 



The well King David, sore bestead, cried : "O that One 
by the 140 would give me drink of the water of the well 

by the gate of Bethlehem !" and through the host 
of Philistines three mighty captains brake, 
brought in their helmets water from that well 
for the king's thirst : he, nevertheless, the brave, 
145 drank not thereof, (too precious for his lips 
the blood of men that jeoparded their life 
with joy) but shed it forthwith on the ground, 
an off 'ring unto the Lord, acceptable. 
But now, all men who thirst may freely drink 
150 of that sweet Well. 



22 



THE INCARNATION 



The Behold, it hath come to pass, 

prophecies (as by the prophet aforetime spake the Lord) 
fulfilled that he out of little Bethlehem went forth 

r , r who should be ruler, the Lion of the tribe 
fulness of 

time °* Judah, in the strength of the Lord to stand 
155 and feed, in the majesty of the holy Name 
unto the earth's end conqueror and king. 
For unto us, seekers after God, who pray 
as Moses in the Mount "although we die 
show us thy glory," yet are, as Adam afraid 
160 to see, — a child is born, a child of Man, 
yea, unto us the poor in spirit and meek — 
a Son is given, the Son of the Most High, 
upon his shoulder the government, his name 
Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, 
165 the Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace 
seated forever on King David's throne, 
his girdle righteousness, wisdom his crown, 
his scepter love. And thus it came to pass : — 



Hon 



The At Nazareth, a city of Galilee 
annuncia- I7 o in days of Herod the Judsean king, 
a maiden dwelt betrothed to a man 
of David's house, and Joseph was his name, 
the maiden's Mary. Now to her alone, 
an angel came, from God sent, Gabriel, 
175 who, coming in said unto her ; "Mary, hail 
thou that are highly favored ; for the Lord 
is with thee." At heart sore-troubled, wondering 
what manner of salutation this might be, 
the angel spake again to her : "Fear not, 

23 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



j8o for thou with God hast favor found. Behold, 
thou shalt in thy womb conceive, and bear a son, 
and call his name Jesus, God Saviour. 
Great shall he be, the son of the Most High. 
The throne of his father David, the Lord God 

185 shall give him, over Israel to reign 

and of his kingdom shall there be no end !" 



The Unto the angel then spake Mary : "Lord, 
answer of how shall this be ?" And Gabriel answered her : 
Mary and « The Holy Ghost shall come on thee> the p0W er, 

further °^ ^ e Most sna ll overshadow thee, 

and therefore that which must of thee be born 



speech 



is holy — Son of God ! Lo, Elizabeth, 
she that was barren called, thy kinswoman, 
hath also now conceived in her old age 
195 a son!" 



Mary goes And Mary spake again : "Behold 

Elizabeth the handmaid of the Lord ' Be lt unto me 

according to thy word." And she arose 

and went into the hill-country with haste 

to a city of Judah, entering the house 

200 of Zacharias, the righteous priest, who walked 

blameless in all the ordinances divine. 



Elizabeth Now when Elizabeth, his wife devout, 
greeteth greeting of her visitor had heard, 

Mary - n a loud cry she lifted up her voice 

205 filled with the Holy Ghost, and said to her : 

"Blessed among women thou, and whence this grace 

24 



THE INCARNATION 



that the mother of my Lord should come to me ? 
for, lo, as soon as thy salutation reached 
mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 
210 And blessed thou, who believest there shall be 
performance of all things which from the Lord 
were told thee !" And answering Mary said : 



The "My soul 

Virgin doth magnify the Lord. In God my Saviour 

giveth mv S pi r it hath rejoiced, for the low estate 

° 215 he hath regarded of his handmaiden. 



God 



Behold all generations from henceforth 
shall call me blessed ; for He that mighty is 
hath magnified me, and holy is his Name ; 
whose mercy is on them that fear Him, yea 

220 from generation to generation. Strength 

He hath with his arm show'd forth, scattering the proud 

in the vain imagination of their hearts. 

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, 

the humble and meek exalting. He hath filled 

225 the hungry with good things, sending away 
empty the rich. He hath holpen Israel 
his servant ; in remembrance (as he spake 
to our forefathers) of his mercy sworn 
Abraham, and his seed forevermore." 



Zacharias' 



Mary is 230 Then tarried she in Zacharias' house, 
told of an d f r om Elizabeth her kinswoman 

the wondrous story learned : how ministering 
in the priest's office according to his lot 
her kinsman in the temple before God 

25 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



235 burned incense, when he saw on the right side 
of the altar standing, the angel of the Lord, 
and terror fell on him. But the angel said 
"Fear not, thy prayer is heard. Elizabeth 
thy wife, shall bear a son, whom thou shalt call 

240 John, The Lord's gracious gift. For, at his birth 
joy shalt thou have and gladness. In the sight 
of God great even from his mother's womb, 
filled with the Holy Ghost, in the spirit and power 
of Elijah shall he go before His face, 

245 turning the heart of the fathers to the children, 
and the children to the wisdom of the just 
from disobedience ; making against He come 
a people ready for the Lord." 



Zacharias" Then asked 

doubt, Zacharias (for an old man he, his wife 
and the 250 well stricken in years) : "What token showest thou 
Slgn whereby I shall know — this thing shall come to pass?" 
The angel answered : "I am Gabriel 
which in the presence stand of God, his face 
alway beholding, sent these tidings glad 
255 to shew thee. Therefore, because thou hast not believed 
my words which in their time must be fulfilled, 
thou shalt be silent, neither able to speak 
until the day that all have come to pass." 
The multitude of the people praying without 
260 at length perceived that in the sanctuary 

he had seen a vision ; for, he could not speak, 
when forth he came, but beckoned to them, dumb. 

26 



THE INCARNATION 



in a dream 



The angel Now from Judaea returned, at Nazareth 
appeareth Mary was found with child ; and Joseph thought 
unto 2 6j- ( a j US £ man merciful) what he should do, 
Joseph w hen the angel of the Lord appeared in dream 

saying : "Fear not. Take unto thee Mary, thy wife 
for, of the Holy Ghost hath she conceived. 
A son shall she bring forth, and thou shalt call 
270 his name Jesus, God Saviour, for 't is He 

shall from their sins deliver his people. And now 
all this was done — that it might be fulfilled 
which by the prophet was spoken of the Lord : 
"With child, the virgin shall a son bring forth, 
275 and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

God with us." Joseph, raised from sleep, no more 
minded to put her privily away, 
forthwith brought Mary his espoused wife 
to his own home. 

I The birth I n those days a decree 

I of Jesus in 280 went out from Augustus Caesar, that all the world 

I Bethlehem be taxed. So Joseph, of the lineage 

and the and houge of D avi( j too y. Mary frs w jf e 

an s^elic 

appari- though great with child, and went from Galilee up 

Hons to Bethlehem of Judah. So it fell 
unto the 285 (because in the Inn there was for them no room) 
shepherds that in a stable Mary her first-born son 

brought forth, and laid him wrapped in swaddling 
clothes 

in the manger. But, meanwhile, shepherds by night 
abided to keep watch over their flock 

27 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



290 among the fields. Lo, the angel of the Lord 
stood by them, and the glory of the Lord 
shone round about, and they were sore afraid. 
"Fear ye not" spake the angel "for behold 
I bring to you glad tidings of great joy 

295 which shall be to all people. In Bethlehem 
the city of David, unto you this day 
is born a Saviour which is Christ the Lord, 
and this the sign : that ye shall find the Babe 
lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes." 



Theadora- 300 
Hon of 
Jesus 
by the 
shepherds 

305 



310 



Then was there with the angel suddenly 

a multitude of the heavenly Host which cried : 

"Glory to God in the Highest ; on earth peace, 

good will toward men." When the angels into heaven 

away were gone from them, the shepherds said 

one to another, "Even to Bethlehem 

now let us go and see this thing the Lord 

hath made us know." And coming with great haste 

they found Mary and Joseph, and in the manger laid 

the Babe ; whom having seen they noised abroad 

the saying which was told them of this Child. 

And they that heard wondered. But Mary kept 

all these things in her heart, and pondered them. 

So glorifying and praising God returned 

the shepherds to their flocks. 



The cir- On the eighth day 

cumcision a t the circumcising of the child, his name 
of Jesus was ca u ec i J e sus ; and after, when the time 
of their purification was fulfilled 

28 



THE INCARNATION 



Simeon's according to the law, they brought the Child 
hymn of un to Jerusalem to offer up 
thanks- the appointed sacrifice of the first-born 
giving t ^ at Q p enet j 1 t ^ e wom b (two turtle doves) — 
and to present him holy to the Lord. 
And lo, in Jerusalem a man devout 
and just, to whom it was of the Holy Ghost 
325 revealed that he should surely not see death 
before he saw the Lord's Christ — Simeon — 
into the temple by the spirit came 
when the parents brought the child, and in his arms 
took Jesus blessing God and saying : "Lord, 
330 now lettest thou thy servant in peace depart 
according to thy word. For lo, mine eyes 
have seen the salvation which thou hast prepared 
before the face of all. A light to lighten 
the Nations, and the glory of Israel 
335 thy people." 

Simeon And Simeon blessed them saying 

fore- to Mary his mother : "Behold this child is set 
wameth for the fall and rising up in Israel 
Mary- Q £ manv> an( j f or a sign, spoken against 

that the thought of every heart may be revealed — 
340 yea, and a sword through thine own soul shall pierce 

A But Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe 
prophetess of Aser, which — worshipping day and night — 
rejoiceth a w id ow Q f great age, from the temple of God 
1 Child departed not, a prophetess of the Lord, — 

345 at that same instant entered and gave thanks 

29 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



likewise with joy, and spake of Him to all 
that in Jerusalem for redemption looked. 
And the child grew, and waxed in spirit strong, 
with wisdom filled, and with the grace of God. 



Israel 
hath in the 



Hymn of 350 Awake ! Awake ! hearken O Israel, 
gratula- though darkness gross cover the earth, the Lord 
tion^ that^ ha\h risen upon thee. Therefore thou arise ! 

Shine, for thy Light is come, and round about 
Child ^he nations gather themselves, and mighty kings 
her 355 to the brightness of his dawn. Behold, the Lord 
promised createth thee new heavens and a new earth ; 
redeemer ^ sun ^ w hi c h g 0 eth at even down, no more 
shall rule thy day, neither by night the moon, 
which waneth, but the Lord himself, the Lord 
360 shall be thine everlasting Light, — thy God 

thy Glory. Henceforth none shall labor in vain, 
with sorrow unto sorrow none bring forth, 
none hurt, and none destroy. But wolf with lamb 
dwell freely, yea leopard with kid lie down, 
365 Hon and ox together feed, and men 
be righteous all, for, lo ! a little Child 
shall lead them, him the Lord of old hath called : 
The Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counsellor 
the Everlasting Son, the Mighty God ! 



30 



Transcript II 

C^e Cemptatfon 



I 



The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 
the Son of God. 



The 
preaching 
of the 
son of 
Zacharias 
by fordan 



Behold I send before me 
my messenger. In the wilderness a voice 
crying : "all flesh is grass, and, as the flower 
5 of the field, the goodliness thereof ; the grass 
withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word 
of God shall stand forever. Level ye then 
His highway ; every valley shall be filled, 
and every mountaintop brought low ; make straight 

10 the crooked, the rough places plain, for He, 
whom ye delight in, cometh suddenly 
unto his temple. Lift ye up your head 
ye gates, ye everlasting doors lift up, 
for the King of glory entereth. But who 

15 may abide that day, and when He appeareth, stand? 
for He, the Lord of hosts, mighty in war, 
searcher of hearts, is judge. Return therefore 
unto his ordinances. Repent ! For nigh 
is He that cometh. Wash vou, make vou clean !" 



fohn 
resenteth 
the 



20 So John, the son of Zacharias, clothed 

with raiment of camel's hair, about his loins 
the leathern girdle, (locusts, and from the rock 

a 33 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



approach 
of 

Pharisees 
and 
Sadducees 



wild honey, his meat) filled with the Holy Ghost, 

the baptism of repentance preached ; and vast 
25 multitudes from Jerusalem went out, 

yea, and from all Judaea, and were baptized 

in Jordan for remission of sins. But John, 

when many Pharisees and Sadducees 

thronged also about him, cried : "Who warneth you 
30 O generation of vipers, that you flee 

from wrath to come ? Behold, unto the root 

is laid the axe already, and every tree 

that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down 

and cast into the fire. Wherefore, bear fruits 
35 worthy of repentance ; nor, say ye in your heart 

'We have Abraham to our father !' Is not God 

presently able of these desert stones 

to raise up children unto Abraham ?" 



Joh?i 
predicteth 
that the 
Christ 
will 
shortly 
come 



But as the people in expectation mused 
40 of John, whether or no he were the Christ, 
he answered : "Nay, but mightier far than I 
there cometh One, the latchet of whose shoe 
not worthy am I to stoop down and unloose. 
I indeed unto repentance have baptized 
45 with water ; He with wind of God and fire 
baptizeth you. Whose fan is in his hand 
and thoroughly will he purge his floor ; and, the wheat 
into his garner gathering, burn the chaff 
with fire unquenchable." 



Jesus 
cometh 



Now in those days, 
50 when all the people went out for to see — 

34 



THE TEMPTATION 



to be bap- 
tized of 
John 
in Jordan 



The Voice 
from 
heaven 
acknowl- 
edged 
Jesus 



no reed in the wilderness shaken in the wind, 
nor such as live in king's courts delicately 
apparelled in soft raiment gorgeous, 
but verily a great prophet, ( — yea, and more — 

55 for he bare witness of the Light) — there came 
from Galilee Jesus also. And John forbade 
saying : "I have need to be baptized of Thee, 
and comest Thou to me ?" But Jesus said : 
"Suffer it now, for it becometh us 

60 so to fulfill all righteousness." 

And lo, 

when Jesus, being baptized in Jordan, prayed, 
the heaven was opened, and the spirit of God 
descended, lighting as a dove on Him ; 
and out of heaven a Voice which said : "Thou art 
65 my beloved Son; in Thee am I well pleased." 
Then Jesus went from the water straightway up, 
and the spirit drave him into the wilderness, 
where forty days he fasted, and forty nights 
dwelt with the wild beasts, Satan tempting Him. 



The medi- 70 So, full of the Holy Ghost with his own soul 
tation of He communed long. 

Jesus 

Israel and 
Jit da h 
heirs of the 
promise 



75 



Did not the Lord declare 
"Israel is my Son, yea, my firstborn?" 
that out of Judah, whom his father blessed, 
as a great lion, (gone up from the prey), 
couching, a scepter should arise, — a star? 
Now shall his gathering of the people be, 

35 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



That 
prophet 
like unto 
Moses, 
and the 
law in 
men's 
hearts 



The glory 
of that 
prophet, 
and the 
gladness of 
his coming 



80 



85 



90 



95 



Jesus 
pondereth 
the fulfil- 
ment of 
these 
promises 

in IOO 
Himself 



and nigh is thy salvation ? The barren place 
like Eden shall with a voice of melody 
be glad, and blossom as the rose ? 

Spake not 

from heaven the Lord : "Thou art my Son ?" O God, 

hast thou from among my brethren raised up Me — 

that prophet — like unto thy Chosen of old 

whom out of the midst of the bush, which unconsumed 

at foot of Horeb burned with flame of fire, 

thou calledst forth from shepherding the flock 

of Jethro, through the wilderness to lead 

thy sheep ? This day wilt thou establish new 

thy covenant — to pour out on all flesh 

thy spirit, and in their hearts to write thy law? 

Beautiful on the mountains are the feet 
of Him that bringeth Zion good tidings. Shout 
for joy together, ye watchmen, shout and sing : 
"Lo, thy Redeemer cometh unto thee ! 
Blessed who eye to eye beholdeth Him !" 

Hath the spirit of God anointed Me to preach 

unto the meek his gospel ; and, them that mourn 

comforting, to proclaim the acceptable year? 

From me, Lord, wilt thou have thy law proceed 

which biddeth go free the prisoner in bonds, 

strengtheneth the weak hands, and the feeble knees 

confirmeth ; yea, which openeth all blind eyes, 

deaf ears unstoppeth, and maketh as an hart 

the lame to leap, that the tongue of the dumb sing: — 

36 



THE TEMPTATION 



"Be strong, fear not. Behold your God shall save. 
105 Like smoke heaven vanisheth, earth waxeth old 
as a worn garment, but his word endureth ?" 



and 
Trium- 
phantly in- 
quireth 
whether He 
be not that 
prophet 



no 



"5 



120 



125 



Truth 

and mercy at last are met together ? Peace 
and righteousness have one another kissed? 
And shall this day thy mountain be, O Lord 
above the hills exalted, that thy sons 
and daughters thither from afar may throng ? 
And wilt thou cry through Me : "Ho every one 
that hungereth, and thirsteth (where none is, 
seeking for water) come, without money buy 
drink wine and milk ?" Wilt thou command through 
Me 

"Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the road, 
remove the stumbling block, over the hills 
make straight and large the highway of holiness 
wherein, though fools, men faring shall not err?" 
The house of the glory of the Lord wilt thou 
build, laying in Sion a tried and precious stone, 
a deep and sure foundation at the head 
of the corner, judgment meted to the line, 
and righteouness to the plummet — even a stone 
rejected of the builders? 



His spirit 
rejoiceth 
in this 
heavenly 
call 



Sing, O sing 

ye heavens ! Be joyful, earth ! Mountains and hills 
shout ! And ye trees of the field clap, clap your hands 
for in the temple, the High and Holy One, 
inhabiting eternity, shall dwell 

37 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus 
further 
pondereth 
the prom- 
ise of a 
perfect 
priest 



130 with contrite and with humble men of heart, 
to revive their spirit and to be their God ! 

No peace to the wicked ? Yet the covenant 
of peace thou gavest unto Phinehas, 
an everlasting priesthood to the Lord, 
135 because, zealous for Thee and Israel, 

he made atonement. Me, O God, thy zeal 
consumeth. 



The need 
for such a 

priest to 
make 
atonement 



As a troubled sea, whose waves 
cast mire, the wicked rage ; but thou hast set, 
mightier than they, Righteousness in their midst — 
140 our Rock. They gather together, and counsel take 
in vain against us, all the kings of earth, 
for surely one shall say : "In Thee is strength 
O Lord sufficient for us !" Israel, 
fallen by his iniquity, hath destroyed 
145 Himself. But waiting patiently, I looked 
and saw no intercessor : — righteousness 
his breastplate, thy salvation on his head 
for helmet, zeal his garment. Yet, O Lord 
after the order of Melchizedek 
150 who brought forth (King of Salem) bread and wine 
to bless our father Abraham, thou hast sworn 
to make a priest forever ? And from heaven 
thy voice even now declared : "Thou art my son ?" 



Where- 
with shall 
atonement 
be made? 



Then wherewith shall I come before Thee, Lord ? 
x 55 The cattle on a thousand hills, the fowls 

of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field 

38 



THE TEMPTATION 



are thine. Wilt thou with thousands of rivers of oil 
be pleased, or clouds of costly incense sweet ? 
Thine the whole world, and the fulness thereof thine. 

1 60 Burnt offering, sacrifice, sabbath, new moon, 
appointed feast, solemn assembly — these 
Thou wouldst not ; yet hast made thy people priests 
showing them what is good, commanding them 
in the beauty of holiness to worship Thee, 

165 offer thanksgiving, and the sacrifice 
of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. 
Lo I come, God — Father — to do thy will ! 



patriarch 
Job 



Jesus Now Jesus, musing so in the wilderness 
seeth in beheld a vision : — Satan answering 
vision the 170 the Lord of heaven "Doth Job fear God for naught? 
Yea, all that a man hath for his own life 
he giveth." But, smitten then in bone and flesh, 
Job held fast his integrity, and prayed 
for them — his friends — who, justifying God, 
175 imputed sin unto the Sufferer. 

The fiery The vision changed. Behold a multitude 
serpents in writhing with pain abominable and grief, — 
the wilder- serpents of fire from the Lord sent — and they 
alone did live which looked on One of brass, 
180 by Moses lifted up. 



The Behold again : 

Passover the Lord's destroyer smote, through all the land 
night of Egypt, the first-born in every house 

the lintel and two side-posts of whose door 



39 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



smoked not that night with blood of the lamb, slain- 
185 the Lamb without a blemish. 

Abraham's Abraham — 

sacrifice ^ Q vision changing) — climbed the mountain side 

°f hls w ith Isaac, the only son of his old age. 
son and J & 

the Lord's ^ nc * Isaac spake: "My Father." "Here am I 

promise my Son" said Abraham. Then answered him 

190 Isaac: "Behold, my Father, in my hand 

the fire, and the wood I bear. Where is the lamb 

for a burnt offering ?" And Abraham spake : 

"My Son, God will provide himself a lamb." 

Then coming to the place God told him, there — 

195 Abraham built an altar and laid thereon 

the wood in order, and bound his only son 

Isaac, and would have slain the son he loved. 

But lo, an angel cried : "Lay not thine hand, 

Abraham, on the lad ; for now I know 

200 thou fearest God, nor hast withheld from me 

thine only son. Because, obeying my voice 

thou hast this done, all nations of the earth 

shall in thy Seed be blessed." 

The The vision changed. 

righteous Behold, the ungodly made a covenant 

™fGod 205 With death ;_ "^ et US °PP ress the ri g nteous man 
persecuted whose life is unlike ours. For a reproof 
of the unto our thoughts, contrary to our works, 
wicked a knowledge of the Lord doth he profess 
whose servants happy in their latter end 
210 esteeming, he vaunteth that his father is God. 

40 



THE TEMPTATION 



Come let us see if true his words, and prove 
with outrage and with torture his gentleness. 
That we may learn his patience under wrong, 
let us condemn him to a death of shame, 

215 for surely God will save his Son alive." 
Blinded with wickedness so reasoned they, 
ignorant of the mysteries of God, 
how that the soul of the Righteous, (in His hand 
forever,) torment toucheth not nor grief. 

220 For though in the sight of men he seem to die, 
and his departure be accounted hurt 
and punishment to him, yet having borne 
chastening a season, of immortality 
his hope is full. God making trial of him 

225 findeth him worthy to abide in love. 



The mean- 
ing of 
these 
visions 
set forth 



230 



Jesus 
ponder eth 235 
anew the 
divine 
word of 
assurance. 



But Jesus many days in the wilderness 
pondered these visions. How it needs must be, 
(though in the way of righteousness is life,) 
the Christ should suffer sorer things than Job ; 
be lifted up, for sight of sinful men 
in guise of sin, to heal them ; be the Lamb 
slain, without spot or blemish, in their stead, 
whom the Father of the righteous will provide. 

Spake not from heaven the Voice : Thou art my Son ? 

this day have I begotten thee, though of old 

I loved thee with an everlasting love. 

Ask of me, and I, for thine inheritance, 

the uttermost parts will give thee of the earth ; 

from sea to sea shall thy dominion stretch, 

4i 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



and the 240 
Voice 
addresseth 
Him in 
vision 

245 



250 



to help the poor and needy, to redeem 

from violence their soul, to break the power 

of their oppressor. As rain shalt Thou come down 

on the mown grass, that the righteous may spring up 

and flourish. For to judge the earth, O Lord, 

Thou comest, and strong nations afar off 

wilt Thou rebuke ; that they shall beat their swords 

to ploughshares, and to pruning-hooks their spears ; 

that every man under his vine may sit, 

under his fig tree, unafraid. For, peace, 

so long as the moon endureth and the sun, 

shalt Thou establish, O my Prince of Peace ! 



The Voice 
admitteth 
his origi- 
nal glory 255 



Thy throne forever and ever is, O God 
before the depth brought forth, before the hills, 
when I the heaven prepared, fashioned the clouds, 
strengthened the fountains of the deep, set fast 
the foundations of the earth, wast Thou with Me, 
which art from everlasting, my delight. 
Life hath, whoso hath Thee ! 



The Voice 
asserteth 
his King- 
ship, as 
well as his 
prophetic 
priestly 
offices 



Behold the day 
wherein of David's stock, of Jesse's root 
260 I sware unto my people to raise me up 

a Branch, his name : the Lord, their Righteousness ; 
that they to whom early and late in vain 
I sent my prophets forth, may know at last 
Me, in the fulness of thy grace and truth." 



The 265 

answer 



Then hearing in his soul the Invisible 
speak awful words, and marvellous, of love — 

42 



THE TEMPTATION 



cf Jesus 

to the 

Voice 
heard in 

vision 2 7° 

The Voice 
renew eth 
and en- 
largeth the 
promise 

275 



The Voice 280 
addresseth 
Zion , pres- 
ent to Jesus 
in vision 

and corn- 
men deth 285 
her King 
nnto her 
praise 



Jesus began to be very sorrowful, 
and exceeding heavy even unto death : 
"Lo, I come to do thy will. But, glorify 
Father, thy Name." 

Thus saith the Lord thy God : — 
Nevertheless thou art, O Israel, 
My Servant, the Branch of David ; and in Thee 
will I be glorified, nor will I give 
my glory to another. From the womb 
I formed thee, and made mention of thy name 
to bring Jacob again to Me. Lo, I will hold 
thine hand, and keep thee — clothe thee with a robe 
of righteousness, and as a bridegroom deck, 
with ornaments of beauty, Thee — my Son ! 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout ! 
Behold thy King which cometh unto thee 
just, bringing salvation, lowly upon an ass 
riding, upon a colt the foal of an ass. 

Behold, he shall deal prudently, my Servant, 
and be exalted very high, and praised. 
For He that stretcheth forth above the heaven, 
that spreadeth abroad the earth, hath glorified 
today Himself in Israel. 



and 

speaketh of 
Ms kind- 
ness and 
mercy 



290 



Behold 

my servant, mine Elect, in whom my soul 
delighteth, shall not strive nor cry aloud ; 
a bruised reed shall he break not, smoking flax 

43 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



The Voice 
suddenly 

mnounceth 
calamity 



295 



not quench, nor be discouraged till He set 
judgment on earth. 

Awake, awake, O sword 
against my Shepherd, yea against the MAN 
that is my Fellow. Smite Him, and the sheep 
shall scatter, and I upon the little ones 
will turn my hand ! 



The rejec- 
tion of the 
divinely 
sent 
prophet 
priest 300 
and King 



305 



Lo, now He is despised, 
rejected of men. A man of sorrows, with grief 
acquainted, he hath no form nor comeliness, 
no beauty that they should desire in Him. 
So marred his visage, more than the sons of men,- 
they are astonished. Anointed with the oil 
of gladness above his fellows, He is become 
a stranger unto his brethren. Mark ye well 
if there be any sorrow in the world 
like unto the sorrow which is done to Him ! 



His 
affliction 
and the 
contempt 
of his 
enemies 
foreshown 



His suffer- 
ings mis- 
taken for 



He was oppressed, afflicted. As a sheep, 
before his shearers led, is dumb — his mouth 
he opened not. Meekly his back he gave 
unto the smiter, nor from spitting and shame 
310 his face hid, though with a rod upon the cheek 
they smote the Judge of Israel. 

And ye ? 

Ye esteemed Him stricken, afflicted, smitten of God ! 
Yet, surely, He hath borne your griefs alone, 
your sorrows carried ; for your iniquities 

44 



THE TEMPTATION 



marks of 3 1 5 
divine dis- 
pleasure 

The 
Messiah's 
passion is 
recounted 

320 



his 

distressful 
end 



325 



330 



Jesus hear- 
ing the 
Voice doth 
in visiou 
perceive 
and real- 
ize the 
Messiah's 
agony 



335 



340 



bruised, wounded, — the chastisement of your peace 
was laid on Him, and ye are with his stripes 
healed. 

Taken from prison and judgment, as a lamb 
brought to the slaughter, — what are in his hands 
these wounds ? Even they wherewith in a friend's 
house 

He wounded was ? And faithful are the wounds 
of friends ? For He is cut off out of the land 
of the living. Darkness, neither day nor night, 
hideth the earth. 

With the violent in his death, 
with the wicked he made his grave, because he did 
no violence ever, neither was guile in him, 
nor in his mouth deceit. Stricken alone 
for the transgression of his people, shame 
covered his face, and for my sake on Him 
fell the reproaches of all them which dared 
reproach Me blasphemously, the Lord their God." 

Now Jesus hearing all, in spirit groaned. 

"Lo I am come to do thy will," he cried, 

"Thine and not mine be done, yet God, my God 

wherefore hast thou forsaken me? And why 

art thou so far from the call of my distress ? 

Many are they which hate me without cause. 

They pierce my hands, my feet. Among themselves 

they part my garments, and they cast their lots 

upon my vesture. Staring, and looking on, 

they stand. I am full of heaviness. Reproach 

45 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



and 
addresseth 
his prayer 
unto God 



In vision 355 
Jesus 
crieth 
from 
Hades unto 
the Lord 
for deliv- 
erance 360 



The prayer 
reacheth 
the ear of 
the Lord 



hath broken my heart. I looked for some at least 
to have pity on me, but there was none at all 
to comfort me. They gave me in my thirst 
vinegar to drink and gall. Be thou, my God 
345 not far from me. My heart melteth like wax. 
I am poured forth like water. Out of joint 
are all my bones, and dried up is my strength. 
My tongue cleaveth to my jaws. I am weary, O Lord, 
of crying. Mine eyes fail. I am a worm — 
350 a reproach of men, an outcast of the people. 
All they that see, laugh me to very scorn, 
shoot out the lip, and shake the head : "In God 
he trusted, — Let then God deliver him, 
If He will have him !" 

"Out of the deep, O Lord 
I cry, wherein thou hast cast me. I am gone down 
to the bottom of the mountains, in the midst 
of the deep seas. Hide not thy face from me 
thy servant. In thy loving kindness look, 

0 God, upon me. All thy billows and waves 
passed over me, the floods compass my soul, 

1 am sinking in the mire of the depth ; the weeds 
are wrapped about my head ; her bars the earth 
closeth upon me. In the belly of Hell 

three days and nights I cry : 'wilt thou not bring 
365 my life up from corruption, O Lord, my God ?' " 

The prayer of the humble pierceth through the clouds, 
till it come nigh who sitteth in the heaven. 
The heart knoweth its own bitterness, nor can 
be comforted ere the Most High have spoken. 

46 



THE TEMPTATION 



In vision 370 

the Voice 
answer eth, 

speaking 
of the 

Messiah's 

resurrec- 375 
tion, ascen- 
sion, and 
final judg- 
ment of 

mankind 

380 



385 



390 



"Thy flesh shall rest in hope. I will not leave 

in hell thy soul, nor suffer mine holy One 

to see corruption. I will ransom thee 

from the power of the grave. In victory, 

I will swallow up death. Nor shall on earth 

hell royal dominion exercise. To heaven 

who hath ascended in my holy place 

to stand ? He of clean hands, and of pure heart. 

Fullness of joy is in my presence, yea, 

pleasure at my right hand forever more. 

Sit Thou therefore, exalted, till I make 

thine enemies thy footstool. Thou shalt see, 

satisfied, of the travail of thy soul ; 

because thou hast poured out thy life to death, 

numbered with the transgressors, bearing the sin 

of many, and madest intercession. Behold 

thy feet shall stand before Jerusalem 

upon the Mount of Olives, which shall cleave 

in the midst to East, to West, to North, to South, 

and there shall yawn a valley horrible. 

I will uphold thee, mine Elect, in whom 

my soul delighteth, that Thou shalt bring forth 

judgment to all the nations. 



The Voice 
proceedeth 

to tell of 

thejudg- 395 

ment and 



Multitudes, 
in the valley of decision ! Multitudes ! 
For lo, the day of the Lord hath come, and ripe 
the harvest whitens. Put the sickle in, 
and get you down, for full is the wine press 
and the vats overflow with iniquity. 
In the heaven will I show wonders, on the earth 

47 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



the final blood, fire, pillars of smoke. The sun is turned 
acceptance 400 to darkness, and the moon to blood for Thee ; 
of repent- ^nd, upon David's house will I pour out, 
Israel anc * a ^ i nna bitants of Jerusalem, 

thy spirit of supplication and of grace, — 

when they shall look on Thee whom they have pierced, 

405 mourning for Thee in the bitterness of them 
who weep their first born son. But I will take 
the rebuke away of my people, and will wipe 
all tears from off their face. The ploughman shall 
the reaper overtake, the treader of grapes 

410 the sower, and the mountains drop sweet wine, 

the hills melt, flowing with milk and honey, and springs 
of water, and rivers in the wilderness. 
There will I plant the cedar, the shittah-tree, 
the myrtle, the olive, the fir, the pine, the box ; 

4 T 5 of Carmel and of Sharon shall it take 

the excellency, and the glory of Lebanon. 

For the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the earth 

as the deep water covereth the sea !" 

Jesus ac- Then Jesus rejoiced in spirit : u O Lord, my God 

cepteth the ^ 2Q w ' lt ^ t j 1 y right hand and with thy holy arm 

of the Thou hast gotten thyself the victory, and made known 

vision and thy great Salvation. Thou hast called me Son — 

reahzeth t foy we ll-beloved ! Lo, Father, I am come 

mediator- to ^° ^ny w ^> anc * S° forth, to the world 
ship 425 that I may glorify thy Name on earth." 



Thus were Thus Jesus forty days and forty nights, 
the forty as ]\T oses w ith the Lord, ate not nor drank ; 

and, — as Elijah unto the Mount of God, 
close Horeb, — so in the strength of the spirit he went. 

48 



days draw 
ing to a 



THE TEMPTATION 



And Satan 430 
tempted 
Jesus 



435 



Satan 
whispereth 
inspired 
words 44° 



and 
tempteth 
Jesus the 445 
second 
time 



450 



When they were ended he hungered afterward. 
And Satan came and tempted him : "If Thou 
be verily the Son of God, command 
these stones to be made bread." "Then answered He 
"It is written thou shalt not live by bread alone, 
but by every word of God." And Satan straight 
took him unto the holy city, and high 
set him upon a temple pinnacle. 

"I have called Thee by thy name, and Thou art mine. 
When Thou through the waters passest, I will be 
beside thee, lest the floods should overflow. 
And when Thou walkest through the fire, no flame 
shall kindle, for I am the Lord, thy God." 

So Satan said : "If Thou be verily 

the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence, 

for it is written "Because thou hast set thy love 

upon me, and hast known my name, I will 

deliver thee. Nay, I will set thee high 

and give mine angels charge concerning thee, 

to keep thee, and in their hands to bear thee up, 

lest thou thy foot dash haply against a stone !" 

But Jesus said : "Again it is written : Thou shalt 

not tempt the Lord thy God." 



Satan ad- 
dresseth 
himself to 
the third 
and last 455 
temptation 



And Satan then, 
taketh Him unto a mountain exceeding high 
and sheweth him the kingdoms of the world, 
and all their glory in a moment of time. 



49 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



and 
whispereth 
inspired 
words set- 
ting forth 
a lower 4 6 ° 
ideal of 
the 
Messiah 
than that 
of the 
Voice in 
his vision 

and 
tempteth 
Jesus in 
vain the 
third time 

470 



465 



475 



''With a rod of iron shalt thou break them all, 
dash them in pieces like a potter's sherd. 
Be wise therefore ye kings and kiss the Son, 
lest he be angry and ye perish all. 
For, the day of vengeance in my heart, the year 
of my redeemed is come. And I that speak 
in righteousness, mighty to save, in anger 
will trample all the people to the earth. 
Drunk, yea, for fury, I will sprinkle and stain 
my raiment with their blood the while I tread 
the wine press of my wrath." 

So Satan said : 
"Behold, all this power will I give to thee, 
and the glory of all kingdoms, for hath it not 
been unto me delivered that to whom 
I will I give it ? If thou, therefore, wilt 
fall down and worship me, it all is thine." 
But Jesus answered: "Satan, get thee hence, 
get thee behind me, for it is written : thou shalt 
worship the Lord thy God, and serve but Him 
alone!" 



The angels 
minister 
unto the 

Son of man 



Then the devil for a season leaveth Him, 
having ended the temptation ; and, straightway, 
the angels came and ministered unto Him. 



50 



Transcript III 



Ctye Cransifiguratfott 



Jesus , after 
the temp- 
tation, go- 
eth to 
Nazareth 



IO 



When it was noised abroad how Herod, (of John 

reproved, for that he took Herodias 

his brother Philip's wife,) added yet this, 

above the many evils he had done, 

that John he cast into prison, — Jesus returned 

in the power of the spirit to Galilee, and a fame 

went out of him through the whole region round, 

glorified everywhere of them he taught. 

So unto Nazareth also Jesus came 

where Mary dwelt, his mother, and himself 

had been brought up. 



and read- 
cth on the 
Sabbath 
Day from 
the 
Prophet 
Isaiah 



Now on the Sabbath day 
He stood up for to read in the synagogue 
according to his wont ; and, in his hands 
the minister delivering the book 

15 of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus found the place 

where it is written : "The Spirit of the Lord God 
is come upon me, anointing me to preach 
the good news to the poor. He hath sent me forth 
to heal the brokenhearted, and to preach 

20 deliverance to the captive, to the blind 
recovering of sight ; at liberty 
them that are bruised to set, and to proclaim 
the acceptable year of the Lord/' 

53 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



He 

answer eth 
their 

questions 
as to his 

prophetic 
office 



So having read 
and closed the book and to the minister 

25 given it again, Jesus sat down, and spake, 

when the eyes of all were fastened on Him : "This day 
hath in your ears this scripture been fulfilled." 
And they bare him witness, at the gracious words 
wondering which proceeded out of his mouth : 

30 "Is not this Joseph's son ?" But Jesus said : 
"Not verily without honor a prophet is 
except in' his own country ; and of a truth 
I tell you when three years the heaven was shut 
and famine throughout all the land prevailed, 

35 many were widows in Israel, yet to none 
was the prophet Elijah sent, but unto her 
of Sidon ; and many also in Israel 
were lepers, but none of them Elisha cleansed 



saving only 



Naaman the Syrian." 



Jesus 
leaveth 
Nazareth 
and 
dwelleth at 
Caper- 
naum 



40 Now they which in the synagogue had heard 

these sayings, filled with vehement wrath, rose up 
and thrust him out ; and to the brow of the hill 
whereon was built their city led him forth 
that they from thence might cast him headlong down. 

45 But Jesus passing through the midst of them 
went on his way, and to a city came 
on the sea coast, Capernaum, and there dwelt ; 
That the word might be fulfilled which the Lord spake 
by the prophet : "On the border of Zabulon 

50 and Nepthalim, a people, which had long 
in darkness sat and in the shadow of death, 
saw a great Light." 

54 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



He 

preacheth 
by the 

shore of 
the Sea of 

Tiberias 



Wherefore it came to pass, 
when hard the people pressed him for to hear 
the word of God, that by the lake two ships 

55 were standing, and the fishermen washed their nets. 
So Jesus entered into Simon's ship, 
and prayed him that he thrust out from the shore 
a little way, and sat him down, and taught 
the people : "Full is the time, and nigh at hand 

60 the kingdom of heaven. Repent then, and believe !" 
and many things besides in parables 
He spake out of the ship. 



andcalleth 
four fish- 
ermen to 
be his 
disciples 
and follow 
him 



But afterward 
as he had finished teaching, Jesus said 
to Simon : "Launch out now into the deep 

65 and let down for a draught thy nets." So he, 
answering saith to Jesus : "All night long 
we have toiled and nothing taken, nevertheless 
at thy word, Master, will I cast the net." 
When Simon, and Andrew his brother, had this done, 

70 their net so great a multitude enclosed 

of fishes that it brake. And Andrew beckoned 
unto their partners in the other ship. 
Which straightway came to help them, and behold, 
with the draught of fishes, James and John, the sons 

75 of Zebedee, and Simon and Andrew filled 

both ships, that they began to sink. Then Simon, 
astonished fell at Jesus' knees and cried : 
"Depart from me, I am a sinful man 
O Lord." But answering Jesus saith : "Fear not, 

80 Simon, for men, from henceforth, shalt thou catch." 



55 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



And unto them that were with Simon he saith 
likewise : "Come after me, and I will make you 
fishers of men." Wherefore, when they had brought 
their ships to land, they forsook all straightway 
85 and followed him into Capernaum. 



In the 
synagogue 
Jesus 
casteth out 
a devil 



Again in the Synagogue on the Sabbath day 
all marvelled at his doctrine ; for he taught 
as one having authority, not as th' scribes. 
And in the synagogue, crying, a man arose, 

go which had an unclean spirit : "Let us alone, 
Jesus of Nazareth ! What have we to do 
with Thee ? To destroy us, art thou come ? I know 
who Thou art — yea, the Holy One of God !" 
But Jesus rebuked the devil : "Hold thy peace, 

95 and come out of the man !" Then in their midst 
the devil threw him, tare him, and with loud voice 
crying, came out of him, yet hurt him not. 
And greatly were all amazed, among themselves 
questioning : "What strange thing is this ? What new 
100 doctrine? For lo, with power commandeth He 
the unclean spirits, and Him they do obey !" 



and 
healeth 
many sick 
of divers 
diseases 



Immediately his fame was spread abroad 
through all the region about Galilee. 
And when the even was come, and the sun set, 
IC >5 the city gathered together at the door : 

they that had any sick brought them to Him 
and Jesus laid his hands on everyone, 
making them whole ; and cast the spirits out, 
which at his word came forth and cried : "Thou art 

56 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



no the Christ, the Son of God" whom he rebuked, 
charging them straitly not to make Him known. 
Then was fulfilled that which the prophet spake : 
"Himself took our infirmities, and bare 
our sicknesses." Yea, the whole multitude 

115 sought for to touch him, and out of Him there went 
virtue, healing them all, that with one voice 
they glorified God which gave such power to men. 



Jesus 
leave th 
Caperna- 
um to 
preach in 
other cities 
and his 
disciples 
follow 
him 



Now Jesus, in the morning a great while 
before the day, rose up and went alone 

120 to a desert place to pray. Where Simon came, 
Andrew and James and John, and finding him 
said : "Lord, behold all men seek after thee." 
But Jesus saith : "Unto the nighest towns 
hence let us go, that there also I may preach." 

125 But the people, following, stayed him, and besought 
that he should not depart from them. Howbeit 
He answered them and said : "Must I not preach 
likewise in other cities the kingdom of heaven ? 
For therefore am I sent." So Jesus preached 

130 throughout all Galilee. 



Having 
called 
Levi, Jesus 
forgiveth 
sins and 
answereth 
themwhich I 35 
murmured 
thereat 



After some days 
He entered into a ship, crossed over and came 
into Capernaum again ; and lo, 
the multitude resorted unto him. 
And as he passed he saw a publican 
at the receipt of custom sitting and said : 
"Follow thou Me !" And forthwith Levi arose 
and after Jesus went. Now Pharisees, scribes, 

57 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



and doctors of the law out of every town 
in Galilee, yea, out of Jerusalem 

140 and all Judaea, were come to hear the word 

that in the house there was not room for them, 
no, nor about the door ; and Jesus preached. 
But four men sought to bring one in a bed, 
sick of the palsy ; which for the great press 

145 unable to come nigh, on th' housetop went, 
and, uncovering the roof, into their midst 
let down the bed, wherein the sick man lay, 
at Jesus' feet; who seeing their faith, said: "Son 
be of good cheer. Forgiven thee be thy sins !" 

150 And the scribes and Pharisees within themselves 

reasoned : "Who is this, which speaketh blasphemies ? 
Who but God only hath power to forgive sins?" 
Immediately in his spirit when he perceived 
their thought, he said : "Why think ye in your hearts 

155 evil? For whether is easier of the twain 
to say unto the sick of the palsy, "Son, 
forgiven thee be thy sins !" or, "Arise and walk !" 
But that ye may know verily how on earth 
the Son of Man hath power to forgive 

160 sins'' — Jesus unto the sick of the palsy saith: 
"I say unto thee arise ! Take up thy bed 
and go thy way !" And lo, before them all 
he stood, and took the bed whereon he lay, 
and went forth, praising aloud and blessing God, 

165 to his own house. Which when the multitude 

had seen, they were astonished ; and, filled with fear, 
gave God the glory. 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



Levi Now Levi made a feast, 

maketh a and many publicans and sinners came, 
feast and an( j sat them down to meat with Jesus. So, 
%n V Jesus see * n £ what there was done, the Pharisees 

against the disciples murmured, saying : "Why 
with publicans and sinners do ye eat ?" 
But Jesus answering said : "They that be whole 
of the physician verily have no need. 
*75 Not so the sick. Go ye therefore and learn, 

what meaneth the Scripture : 'Mercy will I have, 

not sacrifice/ Behold I am come to call 

not the righteous, but the sinner to repentance." 



come unto 
Jesus to be 
healed and 



Great Thereafter, Jesus into the wilderness 
multitudes 180 withdrew, for He could enter now no more 
the city openly. Nevertheless multitudes 
together came, that of their infirmities 
he preach- tn ey might be all made whole; and they followed him 

eth the to hear his word. And Jesus, when he saw 
Word unto 195 how that they fainted, and were scattered abroad 
them as shggp w ithout a shepherd, looked on them 

and had compassion, and healed them everyone, 
and spake to the people in parables : "What man of you, 
having an hundred sheep, if one be gone 
190 astray, leaveth not there the ninety and nine, 
and after that which he hath lost goeth forth 
into the mountains ? Yea and verily, 
if so be that he find the sheep, with joy 
on his shoulder he layeth it, and returneth home, 
195 and calleth together his neighbors and his friends 

59 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



200 



Speaking 

of the 205 
sheep and 
the good 
shepherd 
unto 
which he 
like?teth 
them and 
himself 



215 



2IO 



saying : "Come make merry with me, for I have found 

my sheep which went astray !" And even so 

it is not the will of your Father, that one of these 

His little ones should perish. In heaven likewise 

I say unto you there shall indeed be joy, 

in the presence of the holy angels, more 

over one sinner, that repenteth him, 

than over all the ninety and nine just men 

which need not to repent. 

" Behold, the good 
Shepherd — he giveth for the sheep his life ! 
but he that is an hireling, and whose own 
the sheep are not, he careth not for them, 
fleeth if the wolf come, and forsaketh them, 
and they are caught and scattered. Little flock 
fear ye not — I am the good shepherd. I feed 
in pastures green my sheep, by waters still ; 
the tired lambs in my bosom with mine arm 
I gather and I carry ; and gently them, 
that are with young, I lead. My sheep I know 
and they all follow when they hear my voice. 
I give them, lest they perish, eternal life ; 
and no man hath the power out of mine hand 
to pluck them. For my Father who gave them me 
is mightier than all." 



The 

Parable of 220 the people a parable : 

the Good 
Samaritan 
is told 



Again he told 



"A man which went 
down from Jerusalem to Jericho 

60 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



fell among thieves that stripped and wounded him, 
and left him well nigh dead. Now a priest by chance 
came down that way, which from the other side 

225 saw and passed by. Likewise a Levite came, 
and, after he had looked on him, passed by 
on the other side. But a Samaritan, 
which also journeying came, when he had seen, 
felt in his heart compassion ; and pouring wine 

230 and oil in the wounds, he bound them up, and set 
on his own beast the man, and to the inn 
brought him and cared for him ; and gave two pence, 
departing on the morrow, to the host 
saying : "Whatsoever thou spendest for him more, 

235 I will repay thee when I come again !" 

The And yet another parable Jesus taught. 

Parable of Two sons had a certain man. The younger said : 

the Prod- "Give me the portion, Father, of thy goods 
igal Son that falkth untQ me „ Sq father deak 

240 his possessions out to them. Not many days 
thereafter, all together the younger son 
gathered, and into a far country took 
his journey, where his substance wasted was 
in riotous living. When he had spent all, 

245 a mighty famine in that land arose, 

and he began to want, and joined himself 
to a citizen of the country, who in his fields 
sent him to feed the swine. And he was fain 
to eat the husks the swine ate, but no man 

250 gave unto him. So, when he came to himself, 
he said : "How many hirelings have bread 

61 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



in my father's house, enough and to spare, and I 

with hunger perish ? I will arise and go 

and say to my father : "Against heaven I have sinned 

255 before thee, and I am not worthy to be called 
thy son. Make me as one of thy hired men." 
Then he arose and came to his father, who saw 
his son yet a great way off and had on him 
compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck 

260 and kissed him. But the son said : "I have sinned 
against heaven, Father, and in thy sight. No more 
am I worthy to be called thy Son." Then he 
spake to his servants : "Bring forth the best robe 
to clothe him therewithal, and on his hand 

265 put ye a ring, and shoes upon his feet, 
and kill the fatted calf, and let us make 
merry together ; for this my son was dead 
and is alive again ; was lost, and lo ! 
he is found." 



igal Son 



The But the elder son was in the field, 

Parable of 270 who heard, as nigh he drew unto the house, 
the elder music and dancing ; and one of the servants called, 
brother of asking of him what this might mean ; who said : 

"Thy brother hath come, and the fatted calf is killed 
because thy father hath received him sound." 
275 Then came his father out entreating him 
to enter ; but he was angry and would not, 
saying : "I have served thee lo ! these many years, 
neither at any time did I transgress 
thy commandment ; yet thou never gavest me, 
280 that with my friends I might make merry, a kid ; 

62 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



but now as soon as this thy son has come 
which hath thy goods devoured with harlots, thou — 
killest for him the fatted calf !" Then said 
the father : "Son, thou art ever with me. Thine 
285 is all I have. Was it not meet indeed 

we should be glad ? For this thy brother was dead, 
and is alive again, was lost, and is found." 

Having When even was come, and Jesus made an end 

preached of speaking, he sent the multitude away. 

acceptably 290 Then spake a certain scribe : "Lord, I will go 

dd ^sseth whithersoever thou goest." Jesus saith 

him to 4 'Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests, 

thwart but the Son of man hath not — where he might lay 

them, and his head !" Another saith, "Suffer me first, 

repelleth 295 Master, to go and bury my father." — "Call 

f M™mts no man on earth Father > but God alone " 

Jesus made answer, "Yea, follow me, and let the dead 
bury their dead." Then into a ship he went 
with his disciples, and commandment gave 
300 to launch forth and pass over. So they sailed, 
and other little ships were with them. 

The Storm Now, 
is stilled a storm of wind came down upon the sea, 
by j he r and into the ship the waves beat that it soon 
was full ; but Jesus in the hinder part 
305 l av on a pillow asleep. Then, sore afraid, 

the disciples woke him crying, "Save us, Lord ! 
Carest thou not that we perish ?" And He arose 
and said to them : "O ye of little faith, 
why are ye fearful?" and saying: "Peace, be still !" 

63 



word of 
Jesus 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



310 the winds and raging waters he rebuked; 
and suddenly there was upon the sea 
a great calm, so that all men feared and quaked, 
asking of one another : "What manner of man 
is this, that He commandeth even the wind 

315 and raging waters, and they do obey?" 



Jesus Nevertheless much people having seen 
preacheth Jesus depart, whither he came awhile 
and e {^ 6 fj ie m the wilderness to rest, outwent him a-foot 
multitude an ^ ran together. When lifting up his eyes, 
with five 320 He saw a very great company come forth 

barley to hear Him ; and with compassion toward them moved, 
loaves and He taU gh t t h em Q f t h e kingdom many things. 
fishes Now the many coming and going, that they had 
no leisure, nay, not so much as to eat, 
325 and the day far spent already, — the twelve came 
and said to Jesus : "Send them, Lord, away, 
that in their villages they may buy them bread ; 
for they have nothing with them, and this place 
is desert." Jesus, knowing what he would do, 
330 said : "Why need they depart ? Give ye them bread 
to eat." And Andrew answered : "We have here 
five barley loaves and two small fishes ; but what 
were even three hundred pennyworth of bread 
amongst five thousand, that each should have a little ?" 
335 But He : "Bring all ye have to me, and command 
the men that they sit down by companies 
of fifty," for there was in the place much grass. 
Then Jesus took the loaves and fishes, and blessed, 
looking to heaven, and brake, distributing 

64 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



340 to the twelve, and they to them that were set down. 
So all did eat and they were satisfied. 
And Jesus bade the twelve : "Gather ye up 
the fragments that remain." They filled therefore 
twelve baskets with the fragments which were left 

345 over and above to them that ate thereof. 



Wherefore Now those men, seeing the miracle Jesus did, 
the people said: "Of a truth that prophet which should come 
would - mtQ world, is He !" and minded were they 

Jesus King w ^ one accor( ^ to se i ze an d make him King; 
250 wherefore Jesus withdrew and hid himself 
in a high mountain. 



He repell- The da Y following, 

eth the when thick the people came again, he spake : 
multitude "Seek ye me now to hear the words of life, 
by strange or f or t ^ at y e ate Q f i oaves ? Labor no more 
speech of ^ ^ meat which perisheth. The bread of God 
heavenly * s He which cometh down to you from heaven 
bread and giveth life, that whoso eat thereof 

hungereth not nor dieth. Lo, I am come 
from heaven, that as the Father hath sent me forth, 
360 and I live by Him, whosoever eateth Me 
by me shall live." 



Jesus in Then certain of the scribes 

answer to an d Pharisees answered : "Master, we would see 

^forTsTn a Sign " And deGply in WS Spirit Sighed 

uttentk Jesus, and spake : "Why seeketh after a sign 

beatitudes 365 an evil generation, adulterous ? 

5 65 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



his own 
rejection 



and woes Verily, verily, there shall none be given 

and pre- save that of the prophet Jonah. The Son of Man 

shall be in the heart of the earth three days and nights. 
In judgment of this generation the men 
370 of Nineveh shall arise, condemning it ; 

for they at the preaching of Jonah did repent, 
and, behold, to you a greater than he is come ! 
And he that is not with me, of a truth 
is against Me, and he that gathereth not with me, 
375 scattereth abroad. Lo ! blessed are the poor 

for the kingdom of God is theirs. But woe to you, 
ye rich ! Blessed are they that hunger now, 
for they shall be satisfied. But woe to you, 
ye that are full ! Blessed are they that weep, 
380 for, lo, they shall be comforted. But woe 

unto you that laugh ! Blessed are they, if men 
shall hate and revile them for the Son of Man ; 
behold, in heaven how great is their reward. 
In that day shall they leap for joy. But woe 
385 to you of whom all men aloud speak praise; 
for so indeed their fathers did of old 
unto false prophets. Verily, verily, 
the Son of Man must suffer many things, 
rejected of the elders, and put to death, 
390 and be on the third day raised up again !" 

Jesus Now, when that saying openly he spake, 
rebuketh Simon took Jesus aside, rebuking him : 

"Be it far from thee, never shall this be done, 



Peter and 



Master, to thee !" But Jesus turned about 
395 and looked on his disciples, and rebuked 

66 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



winnoweth Simon : "Get thee behind me, Satan. The things 

his that be of God thou savorest not, but those 

diciples t ^ at ^ e 0 f men .» And, when he had called to him 

with the people, he cried in all their ears aloud : 

word oj r 

God as 4°° "If an y man come after me, let him — 
John deny himself, and take up daily his cross, 
Baptist and follow Me ! Think not that I am come 
foretold ^ 0 senc ( U p 0 n the earth peace — but a sword ! 

And they of his own household shall henceforth 

405 be a man's foes : for he that father or son 
mother or daughter loveth more than Me 
is not worthy of Me ! He that would save his life 
shall lose it ; and he which loseth it for my sake 
shall verily find it. How profiteth it a man 

410 if he shall gain the whole world, yet shall lose 
his own soul ? But the Son of Man shall come 
to reward all, according to their works. 
And whosoever in this adulterous 
and sinful generation shall be ashamed 

415 of me and of my words, the Son of Man 
shall verily, himself be ashamed of him, 
when in the Father's glory and his own 
with the holy angels on the clouds of heaven, 
He cometh to judge the world." 

The Now from this time 

confession 420 hearing the words, many went back, and walked 
of Simon nQ more with T esus> So that tQ the twe i ve 

He said : "Will ye go also away?" But Simon spake 
"To whom Lord, shall we go ? Thou hast the words 
that of life eternal, and we do believe 

67 



Peter and 
the other 
eleven 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus 425 that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." 
is very Then Jesus answering saith : " Blessed art thou 

and Lord Simon > thou son of Jonah," (That is to say 
being interpreted out of their tongue 
'A Dove — in bodily shape whereof, the Spirit 

430 from the open heaven descended, and abode 
on Jesus at his baptism.) "Blessed art thou 
Simon, thou son of Jonah, for flesh and blood 
hath not revealed this unto thee, but One 
which is in heaven, — my Father. Lo, thou art 

435 Peter, a stone, — for on this rock I build 

my church nor shall the gates of hell prevail 
against it ever. And I will give the keys 
of the kingdom of heaven to thee, that what thou bind 
or loose on earth it shall be bound or loosed 

44° in heaven." 

But Jesus straitly charged the twelve 
that they should tell no man he was the Christ. 

Jesus is Six days thereafter into a mountain high 
transjig- He took Peter and James and John apart ; 
ured be- an( ^ as ne p rave d, transfigured before them — lo — 
chosen t ^ ie ^ as ^ on °f n ^ s countenance was changed, 
witnesses ^is raiment became glistering like snow, 

as no fuller on earth could white it, and his face 
did shine as doth the sun. Heavy with sleep 
when Peter and James and John awoke, they saw 
450 his glory. 

Moses And two men also in glory appeared, 

appeareth Q £ w | lom the one was Moses, as he came 



unto them 



68 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 



down from Mount Sinai, and bare in both his hands 
the two stone tables of testimony, nor wist 
wherefore the elders of Israel were afraid 
455 when he would speak with them, and drew not nigh, 
nor durst behold his countenance steadfastly 
until over his face he put a veil, 
the which he took not off except he went 
before the Lord to speak with Him alone. 



the Lord 
is Elijah 



The other 460 But the other, whom Peter and James and John beheld, 
man with was Elijah the Tishbite, hairy, about his loins 
Moses and g\ T ^ w ith the leathern girdle, — he which mocked 

in Carmel (when the drought had dried the streams) 
'Jfo the prophets of Baal before all Israel, 
prophet 465 and called from heaven the fire down to consume 
upon his altar the burnt sacrifice, 
and prove the Lord is God ; which slew the men, 
four hundred and fifty prophets, by the brook 
Kishon, with his own hand ; and the heaven was black 
with clouds and wind, and abundance of rain fell. 



Simon 470 Now Moses and Elijah, in the sight 
Peter of Peter, James, and John, with Jesus spake 
addresseth G f his decease which at Jerusalem 

MaS and He Sh0ftly Sh ° Uld accom P lish ' Peter then 
heareth sa ^^ unto J esus ( an( * wi st not what he said) 
the Voice 475 "Lord, it is good for us to tarry here. 
out of the If thou wilt, let us make three tabernacles — 
cloud for Thee one, and for Moses one, and one 
for Elijah." Behold, while yet he spake 
there overshadowed them a radiant cloud ; 

69 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



480 and Peter and James and John were filled with fear 
when they had entered into the bright cloud ; 
but out of it there came a Voice which said : 
''This is my well-beloved son, hear Him !" 
that, sore afraid, they fell upon their face. 

485 Howbeit, Jesus, when the Voice had passed, 

came to them, and touched them, saying : "Be not 
afraid!" 

Then lifted they up their eyes, and they beheld 
no man with them but Jesus, and arose, 
and kept the vision close, nor to any man 
490 told aught thereof till He was glorified ! 



70 



Transcript IV 



C^e Jttesssstatric (Entrance 



A council 
is assem- 
bled lo plot 
the de- 
struction 
of Jesus 
who with- 
draweth 
with his 
chosen fol- 
lowers 
into a 
desert 
place 



10 



15 



20 



25 



Then gathered the chief priests and Pharisees 

a council, and said : ''What do we ? For, this man 

worketh — we can not deny it — notable 

miracles ; so, that if we let him alone, 

all will believe on him, and the Romans come 

to take from us nation and place away." 

But Nicodemus, (the same which went by night 

to Jesus), spake: "Our law judgeth no man 

before it hear him, and what he doeth, know." 

They unto Nicodemus answering said : 

"Art thou from Galilee also? Search and look, 

for there ariseth out of Galilee 

no prophet." Straightway Caiaphas arose 

and prophesied (being high-priest that year — 

not of himself.) "Nothing at all ye know, 

nor have considered, how expedient 

it were for us one man should die, in stead 

of the whole people's perishing." Wherefore 

from that day forth they sent out spies to watch 

Jesus, and, feigning themselves just men, take hold 

of words out of his mouth ; that they might find 

cause to accuse him before the governor, 

and put him to death. But Jesus with the twelve 

went into a country near the wilderness 

and there abode. 



73 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus is 
taunted by 
his breth- 
ren and 
replieth 



Now when the time drew nigh 
to go unto Jerusalem for the feast, 
his brethren, which believed not on Him, said : 
"Go thou into Judaea, that the works 
thou doest may be manifest, for, what man 

30 seeking to make himself known openly 

doeth aught in secret ?" Jesus saith : "My time 
is not yet fully come. But go ye up 
unto the feast. You the world can not hate — 
though it hateth me, because I testify 

35 that the works thereof are evil." 



The 

disciples 
go after 
Jesus when 
he setteth 
his face 
toward 
Jerusalem 



Af tei ward 
He saith to his disciples : "Let us go 
into Judaea again." But they said : "Lord, 
the Jews of late did seek to stone thee, and thou 
40 goest thither again ?" — "Are there not in the day 
twelve hours when he that walketh stumbleth not' 
Jesus made answer then, "because the light 
he seeth of this world ?" And He went up 
unto the feast. And Thomas, (Didymus 
surnamed,) to his fellow disciples saith: "Let us 
go also, and die with Him." And they went all, 
(Jesus before them) afraid and sore amazed. 



45 



but 

understand 
not what 
he saith 
of his 
resurrec- 
tion 



Now, telling them the third time of the end : 
"Behold we go up unto Jerusalem," 
50 He said "and the Son of Man shall be betrayed, 
condemned to death of the chief priests and scribes, 
delivered to the Gentiles to be mocked 
and scourged and crucified ; yet the third day 

74 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 

He shall be raised again t" Nevertheless, 
55 exceeding sorry, of the disciples none 
this saying understood, and feared to ask. 
(For the Scripture as yet they knew not that the Lord 
should from the dead arise). 

And Jesus healed 
by the wayside, and in all the villages, 
60 the blind and lame. 

So, as they journeyed on 
it came to pass, that unto him were brought 
the little children, to lay his hands on them, 
and pray. But the disciples, seeing it, 
rebuked the people. Jesus, much displeased, 
called them and said : "Suffer the little ones 
to come unto me. Forbid them not. Of such 
is the kingdom of my Father." And in his arms 
He took, and blessed them. But among themselves 
the twelve had reasoned which should greatest be, 
and Jesus perceiving in their heart the thought, 
saith unto them : "Except ye verily turn 
and become as little children, even you 
shall enter not my kingdom." Then a child 
He set in midst of them, saying : "For my sake 
whosoever this child receiveth, receiveth Me 
and Him that sent me." 

And lo, there came to him 
the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons 
worshipping : "Whatsoever we shall desire, 
Master, we ask that thou wouldst do for us." 

75 



The little 
children 
are 
brought 
unto Jesus 
and blessed 

of him 65 
and made 
the occa- 
sion oj 
doctrine 



The prayer 
of fames 
and fohn 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



and their 80 But James and John were they who, (having heard 
mother is that Jesus came to send on the earth fire) 
answered prayed him, when a village of the Samaritans 
°^Lord received him not, (because his face was toward 
Jerusalem, and the Samaritans 
85 have with the Jews no dealings) to command 
(as did Elijah when Ahaziah sent 
to inquire of Beelzebub, in Ekron God,) 
that fire come down from heaven consuming it ; 
whom he reproved, "What spirit ye are of 
90 ye know not." Now to the mother of James and John 
(whom Sons of thunder, he surnamed,) he said: 
"What wilt thou have me do ?" She answered him : 
"That thou wouldst grant these my two sons to sit 
the one on thy right hand, the other on thy left, 
95 when thou art come into thy glory, Lord !" 
Then Jesus said : "Ye know not what ye ask. 
Can ye — drink of the cup whereof I drink, 
and be baptized with the baptism wherewithal 
I am baptized ?" And they said, "Lord, we can." 
100 Howbeit Jesus saith : "Ye shall indeed 
drink of my cup, and also be baptized 
with the baptism wherewithal I am baptized ; 
but on my right hand or on my left to sit 
is not mine own to give, — seeing unto them 
io 5 it doth belong for whom it was prepared 
of my Father which is in heaven." 



Wherefore the ten 



and the 

disciples hearing it, against James and John were moved 
reproved with indignation. Jesus, nevertheless 

76 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



called them and said : "Their princes exercise 
no lordship over the nations, and their great 
rule with authority. But thus with you 
it may not be. For whosoever is chief 
among you, shall the servant be of all ; 
even as the Son of Man came not to use 
115 dominion, but to minister, and give 
his life for many." 



James aud When Jesus now was come 

John are to Bethphage, twain he sendeth — James and John 

sent for saying : "Go ye into the village and ye shall find, 
the she ass J . s . J s / 

and her in a P* ace where two ways meet, an ass 

colt and 120 and with her also a colt, whereon no man 

Jesus rid- sat ever. Loose and bring them unto me, 

eth in an d jf the owner ask "why do ye this ?" 

triumph say ye> « the Lord hath need of them Sq j ames 

and John found even as he said, and brought 
125 the ass to Jesus, and her foal, and both 

covering with their clothes, the disciples set 
Jesus upon the colt, and with loud voice 
praised God, rejoicing for all his works and words. 
And a great multitude spread in the way 
130 their garments ; from the palm trees others cut 
branches to straw before him as he rode 
at the descent of Olivet, and cried 
together : "Blessed be the king of Israel, 
who cometh in the name of the Lord God, 
135 hosanna to the son of David ! Peace, 

and glory in heaven, hosanna in the highest !" 
But Pharisees, among the multitude, 

77 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



said : "Thy disciples wilt thou not rebuke, 
Master?" And Jesus saith: "If these their peace 
140 should hold, I tell you of a truth, the stones 

would immediately cry out. Then the Pharisees 
murmured among themselves : "Perceive ye not 
how in nothing ye prevail ? For after Him 
the whole world goeth !" 



jesus And it came to pass 

weepeth 145 as he drew near, that Jesus long beheld 
over the the city, and cried aloud : — "Jerusalem, 
city of Jerusalem, thou which stonest the 'prophets, yea, 
foretelling anC * killest tnem tnat unt0 tnee are sent > 

her doom now °ft tn Y children would not I have called, 
150 as under her wings together gathereth 

the hen her brood ! But ye would not. If thou, 
Jerusalem, even thou in this thy day, 
hadst known the things belonging to thy peace — 
but they are hid now from thine eyes. Behold, 
155 the day cometh when that thine enemies shall cast 
a trench about thee, and compass thee around, 
and keep thee in on every side, and low 
lay thee, yea, even with the ground, nor leave 
one stone upon another — because the time 
160 of this thy visitation thou knewest not!" 
And Jesus wept. 



He 
cleanseth 
the temple 
asserting 
his 

authority 



Into Jerusalem 
when Jesus came, the whole city was much moved 
saying, "who is this ?" "Jesus of Nazareth," 
the multitude cried out, "Jesus, the prophet 

78 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



165 of Galilee!" And straightway Jesus went 
unto the temple of God, and made of cords 
a scourge, and the seats of them that sold the doves, 
and the money-changers' tables overthrew, 
and drave with the sheep and oxen all that bought 

170 and sold out of the temple, and taught: "My house 
shall, it is written, be of all nations called 
the house of prayer. But ye have made it now 
a den of thieves !" 



answering And lo : the blind and halt 

them that came in the temple to be healed of him, 
resent the 175 anc j w j ien th' chief priests and scribes the wonderful 
joy of the th; 
people in 0 

his words saw which he did, and heard his gracious words, 
and deeds and the children of the temple cried aloud : 
"Hosanna to the Son of David, yea, 
hosanna in the Highest," sore displeased, 
180 they said to Jesus : "Master, hearest thou 

what these say?" "But," he answered them: "have y 
that Scripture never read : 'Out of the mouths 
of babes and sucklings have I perfected 
my praise ?' " Then sought the scribes and the chief 
priests 

185 how that they might destroy Him, yet they feared 
the people, which believed, (because he spake 
as never man, and wrought with the power of God,) 
that Jesus was a prophet. 

The So, with the twelve 

widow's when even was come he went to Bethany ; 
mites 

79 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



190 but early on the morrow sat again 

in the temple, over against the treasury, 
and much people had resort to him, and lo ! 
the rich men cast in gifts unto the Lord. 
Now Jesus beheld a widow very poor 

195 which threw into the treasury two mites ; 

and calling unto him the twelve, he taught : "Behold, 

this widow, verily, verily I say, 

hath cast in more than all. For they indeed 

of their abundance made an offering 

200 to God, but she of her penury hath given 
all that she had. A parable therefore hear : 



The "There was a rich man faring every day 
Parable 0/ sumptuously, in purple and fine linen clothed ; 
the rich an( ^ there was also a beggar, Lazarus, 

Lazarus 2 °$ ^ a *^ at ^ s & ate ' ^ on t ^ ie crum ^ s which fell 

from the rich man's table ; and moreover the dogs, 
which wander up and down the city for meat, 
and grin, and grudge if they be not satisfied, 
did compass him about and licked his sores. 

210 Now the beggar dying, the angels carried him 
into the bosom of Abraham. The rich man 
died also and was buried, and in hell 
lift up his eyes, tormented, and Abraham 
he seeth afar off, and Lazarus 

215 in Abraham's bosom. So the rich man cried: 
"Have mercy, Father Abraham, and send 
Lazarus that in water he may dip 
his finger and cool my tongue, for in this flame 
I am tormented." Howbeit Abraham spake : 

80 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



220 "My Son, remember that in thy lifetime thou 
receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus 
evil things likewise. Wherefore thou art this day 
in grievous plight, and he is comforted. 
Beside all this, so that they can not pass 
225 from hence to you which would, neither again 
to us from thence, there lieth a great gulf fixed." 
Then he that had been rich saith : "Father, send 
Lazarus I pray thee to my Father's house, 
that unto my brethren he may testify, 
230 lest they should also come into this place 

of torment." Abraham answereth him : "They have 
Moses, yea, and the prophets ; let them hear 
their word." But he, importunate, cried out : 
"Nay, Father Abraham, for they would repent 
235 if from the dead one went to them." — "My son" 
(Abraham answer made) "if they will hear 
not Moses, nor the prophets, though a man 
rose from the dead, yet could he not persuade 
thy brethren to repent them of their ways." 

Then tempting Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes 
brought unto him a woman, and in the midst 
set her, and said to him : "Master, behold, 
this woman was taken in adultery. 
Now Moses in the Law commanded us 
that such be stoned to death. But what sayest thou ?" 
Then, needing not that any should testify 
of man, because he knew what was in man, 
Jesus committed not himself to them, 
stooped down, and wrote with his finger on the ground, 
6 81 



For that 240 
Jesus hath 
' extolled 
Moses, the 
Pharisees 
and Scribes 

strive to 2 45 
make him 
set his 
authority 
above that 
of Moses, 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



in the case 250 as though he heard them not. But when the scribes 
of a and Pharisees continued asking him, 
woman He Hfted up himse if and said : _<Xet him 

adultery * s among you without sin, first cast 

a stone at her." Jesus again stooped down 
255 and wrote upon the ground. Then they which heard, 
and had brought the woman to take him in his words, 
convicted by their conscience one by one, 
beginning at the eldest unto the last, 
went out. And Jesus being left alone 
260 with his disciples, and in the people's midst 
the woman standing, lifted up himself 
saying : — "Woman, where be thine accusers gone ? 
Hath no man yet condemned thee ?" And she said : 
"Lord, 

no man." — "Neither do I condemn thee, go" 
265 said Jesus unto her, "and sin no more." 

The Then spake he a parable concerning them 
Parable of which trusted in their righteousness, and despised 
the others : "Two men went, (one a Pharisee 
a publican the other) for to pray 
Publican 2 7° * n ^ e tem pl e °f tne Lord. And the Pharisee 
is related after this manner prayed : "I thank thee God 
that I am not as other men — unjust 
extortioners, adulterers, or even 
as yonder Publican. In the week twice 
275 fast I, and tithes I give of all my goods." 
Now the Publican was standing afar off 
nor would so much as lift his eye to heaven 
but smote upon his breast saying, "To me 

82 



Pharisee 
and the 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



a sinner, be merciful, O God." This man 
280 went rather than the other, of a truth, 

justified down to his house; for every one 
that doth exalt himself shall be abased, 
and whosoever in spirit doth humble himself 
shall be exalted." 



vineyard 
let out 



The Again, a parable 

Parable 285 (for the common people heard him gladly) he spake 
ofthe^ j n ^^1^ G f the Scribes and Pharisees. 

"A man planted a vineyard and around about 
unto hus- hedged it, and digged a winefat, and a tower 
bandmen builded, and let it unto husbandmen, 

290 and journeyed into a country a great way off, 
and there abode. But at the season he sent 
his servants to receive the fruits thereof. 
Whom, when the husbandmen had seen, they beat 
and stoned. Again their lord sent out 
295 servants, more than the first, which nevertheless 
the husbandmen entreated shamefully ; 
for some they slew, and drave the rest away 
empty. Wherefore the lord of the vineyard said 
unto himself : "What shall I do ? My son 
300 will I send to them, my will-beloved ; for Him 

they will surely reverence." But those husbandmen 
when afar off they saw the Son, conspired 
against him, and reasoned among themselves : 
"This is the heir ! Come let us kill him ; and ours 
3°5 the inheritance shall be !" Then took they him 

and slew him, and cast him from the vineyard forth. 
What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do ? 

83 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



shall he not come, and miserably destroy 
those wicked men, and let his vineyard out 
310 to others which shall in season render him 
the fruits thereof ?" 



and 

Pharisees 
are 



The chief But the chief priests, the scribes 

Priests, and the Pharisees, when they heard this parable, 
Scribes^ perceiving of whom he spake, cried : "God forbid !" 

and forthwith would have taken him, but they feared 
315 the multitude. Then Jesus steadfastly 
rebuked of beheld them, lifted up his voice, and spake : — 
Jesus for "Woe unto you, Scribes, Pharisees — hypocrites ! 
their f or ^ ne kingdom of heaven ye shut up against men, 
hypocrisies neither go in yourselves. Behold, ye lade 

320 burdens, very heavy and grievous to be borne, 
upon their shoulders ; though ye touch them not 
with one of your fingers. Woe unto you, Scribes, 
Pharisees, — hypocrites ! for ye enlarge 
the borders of your garments, and make broad 
325 your phylacteries, and long — to be seen of men — 
your prayers, and therefore verily also, yours 
shall be the greater damnation ! Woe unto you 
Scribes, Pharisees — hypocrites ! for ye love 
at feasts the uppermost room, in synagogues 
330 the chiefest seat ; when ye would do an alms, 
to sound the trumpet before you in the streets ; 
in the market-place loud greetings, and to be called 
"Rabbi, Rabbi !" and to have glory of men, 
but seek the honor not — that cometh of God ! 
335 Woe unto you, Scribes, Pharisees — hypocrites ! 
blind leaders of the blind, for sea and land 

84 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



ye compass to gain one proselyte, and make 
(more than yourselves be) him a child of Hell. 
Woe unto you, Scribes, Pharisees — hypocrites ! 

340 For anise, mint, cummin, rue ye tithe, — and leave 
the weightier matters of the law undone : 
judgment, faith, mercy, yea, and love of God ! 
Woe unto you Scribes, Pharisees, — hypocrites ! 
for your faces ye disfigure, put sackcloth on, 

345 and are of a sad countenance, that to fast 

ye seem, yet devour — widows' houses ! Woe ! 
woe unto you Scribes, Pharisees, — hypocrites ! 
For the outside of the platter and the cup 
ye cleanse, howbeit your inward part is full 

35° of extortion and excess, of ravening 

and wickedness. Woe, woe unto you Scribes, 
Pharisees, — hypocrites ! for verily, 
ye are like unto the whited sepulchres 
which appear beautiful indeed without 

355 albeit they be filled with dead men's bones 
and all uncleanness. Woe unto you, Scribes, 
Pharisees, — hypocrites ! for your fathers stoned 
the Prophets and righteous men, and ye their tombs 
have builded ; wherefore ye allow the deeds 

360 of them that slew them ! Fill the measure up 
ye serpents, of your fathers' iniquity. 
If ye were children of Abraham, ye would do 
the works of Abraham. Of the devil ye are, 
which was from the beginning a murderer 

365 and liar ; wherefore ye believe me not 

and seek to kill me — a man which telleth you 
the truth that he hath heard from God ! Of Hell 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



how can ye then escape the damnation ? Lo, 
I send wise men and prophets unto you. — 

370 Some ye shall kill and crucify ; and scourge 
others from city unto city, that on you 
may come all the righteous blood shed upon earth 
from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood 
of Zacharias, whom ye slew between 

375 the temple and the altar. Verily, verily 
this generation passeth not away 
before all these my words shall be fulfiled !" 



Jesus goeth And having spoken, out of the temple went 

out of the Jesus. But his disciples said, "Behold, 
temple and 3 g 0 Master, what manner of buildings be not these 
foretelleth^ adorned with goodly stones and precious gifts !" 
destruction And Jesus answered them and said : "One stone 

shall not upon another be left thereof 

that shall not be cast down !" 



and in And afterward, 

answer to 385 as over against the temple Jesus stood 
questions U p 0n the Mount of Olives, Peter and James 

and John and Andrew asked him : "Tell us, Lord, 
'of the what sign appeareth when this shall come to pass?" 
fall oj And Jesus answered : "When ye hear of wars, 
Jerusalem 390 and rumours of wars ; of kingdom against kingdom, 
*?fj^ m nation against nation rising. And there shall be 
great earthquakes, famines sore, and pestilences 
and fearful sights from heaven ! But fear not ye, 
for these are the beginnings only of woe. 

86 



prophecy 



last days 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



395 Not yet cometh the end. First upon you 

shall they lay hands, and persecute you and kill. 
For my name's sake, of all men hated, betrayed 
of kinsfolk, friends and brethren shall ye be. 
Howbeit, in patience shall ye possess your souls. 

400 For whosoever of you unto the end 

endureth, shall be saved. Behold, the sun 
shall darken, and the moon not give her light ; 
from heaven the stars shall fall ; and upon earth, 
the sea, and the waves roaring, and men's hearts 

405 for terror failing them, because of heaven 

the powers are shaken. And, lo, the Son of Man 
in the clouds cometh with all glory and might, 
and sendeth forth, to the sound of the great trump, 
his angels, that they gather his elect 

410 from the four winds — from the uttermost part of earth, 
to the uttermost part of heaven. Then lift ye up 
your heads, and look ! for of your redemption nigh 
draweth the hour. Yea, heaven and earth shall pass, 
yet my words shall remain. Howbeit no man 

4*5 knoweth of that hour, nor the angels even of God, 
no, nor the Son — but the Father alone in heaven. 
For, as in the days before the flood, men ate, 
drank, married and gave in marriage till the time 
that the flood came down and swallowed them up quick ; 

4 2 ° so also shall it be when the Son of Man 

cometh. Watch ye, therefore, and pray always 
that ye be accounted worthy to escape 
all these things — and before the Son of man 
to stand !" 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



In the Now Jesus sat, when the even was come, 

house of 425 in the house of one, — Simon the Pharisee, 
Simon the of Bethany,— at meat. And the woman he saved 
taken in from her accusers knew that he was there ; 
adultery an d came and brought an alabaster box 
anointeth of spikenard very precious, and at his feet 

Jesus wept, and with tears washed them ; and brake the box 
of alabaster, and poured the ointment out 
upon his feet, and wiped them with her hair, 
and kissed them. Whereupon the house was filled 
with the sweet odor, and some within themselves 
435 had indignation, and said : "Why was this waste ? 
Might it not have been sold for much, and given 
unto the poor ?" But Jesus answering, saith : 
"Why trouble ye the woman ? The poor alway 
ye have with you to do them good ; but Me 
440 ye have not alway. Anointing aforehand 
my body to the burial, she hath done 
all that she could. And throughout the whole world, 
yea, 

wherever is preached the gospel, verily 
shall this, which she hath wrought on me, be told 
445 for a memorial of her." 

The host Then spake 

murmur- he which had bidden Him within himself : 
eth against « jf ^is man were a prophet, assuredly 
lesus 

he would have known what manner of woman is she 
that toucheth him." But Jesus saith to him : 
450 "Simon, I have to tell thee somewhat." — "Master," 
he answereth, "Say on." — "A creditor 

88 



THE MESSIANIC ENTRANCE 



there was which had two debtors. One 
five hundred pence, the other fifty owed. 
And frankly, when they had naught wherewith to pay, 
445 the man forgave them both. Which, thinkest thou, 
will love him most?" 



Lord and 
the woman 



and is And Simon answer made : 

reproved "The same, whom he forgave the most." Then turned 
jf/f * Jesus unto the woman and said : "Seest thou 

Simon, this woman ? I entered into thine house, 
praised 460 and thou gavest me no water for my feet. 
for her And lo, this woman hath washed them with her tears, 
much love anc j w ip e d them with her hair. Thou gavest me 
no kiss ; but since I came she hath not ceased 
to kiss my feet. Thou anointedst not with oil 
465 my head ; but she with spikenard hath my feet 
anointed. Wherefore of a truth I say 
her sins which are many shall be all forgiven, 
for much she loveth." And unto Mary he said : — 
"Thy sins are forgiven thee. Go in peace. Thy faith 
47° hath saved thee." And away she went in joy. 



89 



Transcript V 



Judas 
agreeth to 
betray 
Jesus Jor 
thirty 
pieces of 
silver, in 
the absence 
of the 
people 



10 



Now as the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, 
to the twelve saith Jesus (knowing his hour was come 
that unto the Father he should out of the world 
depart) : "Yet two more days, ye wit, and lo, 
the Passover, whereon the Son of man 
shall be betrayed and crucified." Then him, — 
who, numbered with the apostles, bare the bag — 
Judas, surnamed Iscariot, straightway 
did Satan enter. Howbeit, against the feast, 
the Lord commanded him to buy all things 
needful, and Judas went. And it came to pass 
that unto the palace of Caiaphas at that time, — 
consulting with the Captains of the guard 
how Jesus they might take by subtlety 
or craft to kill him, — the chief priests and scribes 
and elders were assembled. Nevertheless 
"Not at the feast" they said "lest an uproar 
be made among the people." When hereof 
Judas had heard, with the Captains of the guard 
20 the elders, the chief priests, the Pharisees 

and Scribes he communed long, and they were glad, 
promising money. Wherefore Judas said : 
"If in the absence of the multitude 
I shall into your hand deliver him — 
what will ye give me ?" Then they covenanted 

93 



15 



25 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus 
instructeth 
Peter and 
[ohn where 
to make 
ready the 
Passover 



The lamb 
is slain in 
the temple 



30 



for the ransom of a slave, (the goodly price 

at which they valued him in Israel ! ) 

and from the temple treasury weighed they out 

even thirty pieces of silver. From that hour 

convenient opportunity Judas sought 

to betray Jesus. 



When the first day was come 
of the unleavened bread, and th' Passover must be 
killed, 

the twelve asked, saying : "Master, where wouldst Thou 
have us prepare for Thee, that thou mayest eat 

35 the Passover?" So Peter and John he sent: — 
"Unto the city go, prepare for us 
the passover that we may eat it. Lo, 
when ye are entered, there shall meet you a man 
a pitcher of water bearing. Follow him, 

40 and say ye, wheresoever he shall go in, 
unto the goodman of the house : "To thee 
sendeth the Master word by us : "My time 
is nigh at hand, and in thine house I keep 
the Passover. Where is the guest-chamber then 

45 that I may eat it, with my disciples, there ?" ' 
and he shall shew you a large upper room, 
furnished, where make ye ready." Peter and John 
went, therefore, and did as was commanded them, 
and came into the city, and everything 

50 found even as Jesus said. 

Now, to observe 
unto the Lord their God the Passover, 

94 



THE PASSOVER 



according and sanctify themselves, in Jerusalem 
to the rite a very great congregation gathered were ; 
and in the temple, after sacrifice 

55 at even, the singers praised with cheerful voice, 
and instruments of music in their place, 
the Lord, saying: "Sing we merrily aloud, 
bring hither psaltery, timbrel, harp and lute, 
and make to God our strength a joyful noise. 

60 In the new moon, at the appointed time, 
blow up the trumpet for our solemn feast !" 
And Peter and John took from the sheep a lamb, 
one without blemish, a male of the first year, 
(which Judas bought, and showed unto the priest 

65 before) and laying (or ever were lit the lamps 
upon the seven-branched golden candlestick, 
and the censers taken, filled with coals of fire 
from off the altar, to burn, of spices sweet 
compounded, the holy incense) on the head 

70 thereof their hand, killed it before the Lord ; 

and the priests brought in golden bowls the blood 
(which is the life of flesh, and for the soul 
maketh atonement) yea, and sprinkled it 
on the altar round about, and Levites flayed 

75 the lamb. Moreover, the singers sang an hymn : 
"I am the Lord thy God. Open wide thy mouth, 
and I shall fill it. But Israel would not hear 
my voice ; wherefore unto their own hearts' lusts 
I gave them up. Yet O that, hearkening, 

80 my people would walk humbly in my ways : 
then should their day endure forever more !" 

95 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Peter and 
John make 
all things 
ready 



85 



So Peter and John out of the temple went, 
and roasted with fire the Passover, nor break 
a bone thereof ; and bitter herbs and bread 
unleavened, (according to all the ordinances 
and rites,) made ready in the upper room 
which the master of the house had shewed to them. 



Jesus 
sitteth him 
down with 
the twelve 
at meat 



Now in the evening, Jesus with the twelve 
cometh, and having loved unto the end 

90 his own, saith : "Very greatly have I desired 
to eat with you, before I suffer, this last 
Passover ; for, until it be f ulfiled 
in the Kingdom of God, I say unto you, no more 
shall I from henceforth eat it." Then the cup 

95 He taketh, giveth thanks, and saith : "Divide 
among yourselves, for verily, verily 
Of the fruit of the vine I will not drink again, 
until the day when I shall drink it new 
in the kingdom of my Father." 



Jesus 
teacheth 
the law of 
greatness 
i?i the 
kingdom 
by taking 
upon 
himself a 
slaveys 
office 



Among the twelve 
100 had strife arisen as touching which of them 
should, being accounted greatest, occupy 
the chief seats at the supper, and Jesus spake : 
"Whether think ye is the greater of the twain- 
who sitteth at meat or he which serveth him ? 
io 5 But lo, with you as he that serveth am I ; 
appointing, (as the Father unto Me,) 
a kingdom unto you (which still with me 
continue in my temptations,) that Ye eat 
and at my table drink, and sit on thrones 

96 



THE PASSOVER 



no to judge the tribes of Israel." Now John, 
whom Jesus loved, and he which bare the bag 
Judas, Iscariot named, at either hand 
sat of their Master, and in the lowest room 
Simon. And Jesus (knowing that all things 

115 were given him of the Father in his hand, 

and that he was from God come forth, and went 
to God), from supper riseth, and aside 
layeth his garment, and about his loins 
with the towel girdeth himself, and pouring out 

120 water in a basin cometh to Peter first. 

But Simon saith : "Lord, dost Thou wash my feet ?" 
And Jesus answering, said : "That which I do 
thou knowest not now, but shalt hereafter know." 
And Simon saith again : "Never my feet 

125 shalt Thou, Lord, wash !" And Jesus answered him 
"If so I wash thee not, no part with Me 
hast thou." Then Peter crieth out aloud : — 
"Not my feet only, but my hands and head 
also, O Lord !" So Jesus washed his feet, 

13° saying: "Simon, he that every whit is clean 
no need hath, saving that he wash his feet, 
soiled with the dust of the highway. Ye are clean ; 
howbeit not all of you." 



Jesus 
explaineth 
that which 
he hath 
done unto 
his 
disciples 



And afterward 
when unto all the twelve He had done the same 
135 and taken again his robe, and was set down, 
He said : "Know ye what I have done to you ? 
Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, 
for so I am. If verily I, the Lord 

7 97 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



and and Master, then have washed your feet ye ought 
biddeth 140 likewise to wash each one the other's feet. 
them do an ensam pl e have I given, that you 

might do as I have done. Not greater indeed 
he that is sent than Whoso sendeth him ! 
Blessed of a truth are ye, if knowing these things 
145 ve do them. But I speak not of you all. 
I know whom I have chosen. Of my bread 
he that hath eaten lifteth up his heel 
against me. And behold I tell it you 
before it come to pass, to the intent 
150 ye may afterward believe that I am HE! 
V erily, verily say I unto you 
he that receiveth whomsoever I send 
receiveth Me ; and who receiveth Me 
receiveth HIM that sent me!" 

Jesus as When he had done 

head of his 155 speaking after this manner to the twelve, 

in order of the rite the youngest asked 

"What mean ye by this feast?" And Jesus spake 
meaning J J j r 

of the answering, "It is the service of the Lord's 
feast Passover. For, when Pharo hardened his heart 
160 that out of Egypt our fathers should not go, 
the Lord bade every man take for his house 
a lamb from among the sheep or goats, — a lamb 
without a blemish, a male of the first year, — 
and in the even kill ; and in the blood 
165 dipping a bunch of hyssop, strike therewith 
the lintel and two sideposts of the door, 

98 



house 
telleth the 



THE PASSOVER 



that till the morning none should issue forth 
out of the house ; but roast the lamb with fire, 
and eat the flesh thereof with bitter herbs, 

170 and with the unleavened bread of their affliction. 
So in haste our fathers girt their loins, and ate, 
shoes on their feet, and in their hand the staff. 
And in that night the Lord, throughout the land 
of Egypt, smote the first-born, down from him 

175 which sat upon the throne, to the prisoner 
that in his dungeon lay ; but when the blood 
He saw, passed over the houses of Israel. Thus 
brought the Lord God our fathers forth, with arm 
outstretched, and with a mighty hand." 



The psalm Then sang 

of thanks- 180 the twelve this psalm: "Bless ye the Lord, and praise 
giving is his holy name, from the rising of the sun 
item all to ^ e £°* n £ down thereof, now and henceforth 
forevermore ! What God is like our God 
that humbleth himself, although He dwell on high, 
185 beholding things in heaven and things in earth? 
When Jacob out of Egypt came of old 
from among strangers, was not Israel 
his sanctuary and dominion ? The sea saw 
and fled. Jordan was driven back. Like rams 
190 the mountains skipped, and like the young of the fold 
the little hills ! At the presence of the Lord 
tremble O earth ! at the presence of our God 
which into standing water turned the rock, 
and into springing wells the wilderness !" 



L.ofC. 



99 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



his 
betrayal 



Jesus 195 When thus they had according to the rite 
foretelleth spoken and sung together, Jesus waxed 
troubled in spirit and testified : "Verily, 
verily, of you, which eat with me this night, 
one shall betray me !" The disciples looked 
200 each on the other exceeding sorrowful, 

and doubted of whom he spake, among themselves 
inquiring which it was should do this thing. 
Then said they unto Jesus one by one 
"Lord, is it I ?" And answering, Jesus spake : 
205 "Who dippeth in the dish with me his hand, 
the same betrayeth me ! The Son of man 
goeth of a truth as it is written of Him, 
but woe to him by whom He is betrayed ; 
good were it that he never had been born !" 



eth with 
Judas 



Jesus 210 Now unto him which leaned on Jesus' breast, 
commun- the disciple whom he loved, did Simon Peter 
beckon, that he should ask the Lord of whom 
He spake. So, lying in Jesus' bosom, John 
saith : "Lord, which is the man ?" Wherefore the Lord 
215 answered him saying: "He it is to whom, 
when I have dipped it in the dish, I first 
shall give the sop." Howbeit at his right, 
Judas asked "Master is it I ?" The sop 
then giving unto him, that he alone 
220 should hear it, Jesus made him answer : "Thou 
hast said !" So after he gave the sop, straightway 
Satan into Judas entering, Jesus said : 
"Do quickly that thou doest." But no man 
at table knew to what intent He spake. 

100 



THE PASSOVER 



225 Wherefore, Judas, having received the sop, 
arose ; and he went out immediately, 
and it was night. 

/esus When Judas was gone forth 

ordaineth Jesus unto the eleven said : " Glorified 
the Lord's j s now $ on Q f Man, and God in him 
xnd^eUeth 2 3° * S ^ or ^ e( ^- Little children, yet a while 
them of am ^ y° u > ^ ut afterward shall ye seek 
his and find me not ; for ye, whither I go 
departure can come not. Wherefore unto you I give 
a new commandment, and by this all men 
235 shall verily know that ye have learned of Me : 
If even as I have loved you, ye do love 
one another also. Who hath greater love 
than that he lay down for his friends — his life?" 
So Jesus, as they sat at meat, took bread, 
240 and giving thanks, he blessed it, brake, and gave 
to his disciples ; saying : "Take, and eat. 
It is my body broken now for you. 
This in remembrance do — of Me." Likewise, 
after the supper, Jesus took the cup, 
245 and when he had given thanks, said : "Drink ye all 
of this — the Cup of the New Covenant — 
made in my blood, shed unto remission of sins 
for you and many ; and as oft as ye shall drink 
thereof, in remembrance do ye this — of Me ! 
250 And verily as to the Jews I said 

so say I unto you. Except the flesh 

of the Son of man ye eat, and drink his blood 

ye have in you no life. My flesh indeed 

TOT 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



is meat, and my blood, drink ; and whosoever 
255 liveth by Me shall hunger not, nor thirst ; 
and at the last day will I raise him up. 
The words I speak are spirit and are life. 
Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe 
in God, believe therefore in Me. Behold, 
260 many mansions are there in my Father's house, 
and I, to prepare a place for you, must go ; 
but that ye also may be where I am 
to receive you unto myself I come again, 
and whither I go ye know the way/' 



Thomas 
and Philip 265 
inquire of 
Jesus 
whither he 
goeth, and 
of the 
Father ; 2 JO 
and Jesus 
maketh 



275 



280 



Then saith 

Thomas, surnamed Didymus, "Whither O Lord, 
Thou goest we know not, how then can we know 
the way ?" But Jesus spake : "I am the way, 
the truth, the life ; and no man but by me 
cometh unto the Father. Had ye known 
Me, verily, ye should likewise then have known 
the Father." Philip of Bethsaida 
(which to Nathaniel saying "can there come 
good out of Nazareth ?" answered "come and see' 
the same which certain Grecians at the feast 
to worship Jesus brought) saith : "Show us Lord, 
the Father, and it sufficeth us." — "With you 
so long time have I been, and hast not thou 
Philip, known Me?" spake Jesus then "who Me 
hath seen, hath seen the Father. Believest thou 
that I am in the Father and He in me ? 
The words I speak, I speak not of myself. 
Believe me, or else — for the work's sake believe 



T02 



THE PASSOVER 



which the Father worketh until now through me. 

Verily, verily greater works than these 
285 shall they do which on me believe, because 

I go unto the Father. In my name 

whatsoever ye shall ask, to glorify 

the Father in the Son, that will I do. 

Lo, yet a little while, and me the world 
290 seeth no more ; again a little while 

(because I go to the Father, and I live 

and ye live also,) ye shall see me, and know 

that I am in the Father and ye in me, 

and I in you." 



love him 



How Jesus But one of the eleven 

will 295 asked : "Lord, how wilt thou manifest thyself, 

m himself n0t t0 the W ° rld ' bUt ° nly Unt ° US ? " 
not unto ' ^ man > ^ ne w ^ l° ve me /' Jesus spake, 
the world "keepeth my words, and my Father loveth him, 

but unto and, coming, we will make abode with him. 
them that 300 Rejoice if that ye love me ; for I go 

unto the Father, and greater than I is He. 
Neither let your heart be troubled nor afraid : 
My peace I leave with you, my peace I give, 
and not as the world giveth. Comfortless 
305 I leave you not ; for the Father will I pray 
that He shall send you another Comforter — 
the Spirit of truth — whom, as it seeth not 
nor knoweth, the world can not receive, — but ye 
shall know him, for that he shall dwell in you 
310 and to remembrance call whatever words 

I spake with you. Before they come to pass, 

103 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



these things all have I told you. For the prince 
of this world cometh, and findeth naught in me, 
but that ye may believe, and the world know, 
315 that I the Father love, and as He gave 
commandment unto me, even so I do. 
Arise, let us go hence." 



the meal 
was done 



The hymns Then sang they an hymn : 

sung when "\ i ove the Lord because he hath heard my voice. 

The sorrows of death compassed me round about, 
320 upon my soul the pains of hell gat hold. 

Wherefore I called on the name of the Lord : 'O Lord 
my life deliver thou !' and bountifully 
He dealt, for gracious and merciful is He. 
The Lord my God which saved my soul from death, 
325 my feet from falling and mine eyes from tears. 
Lo ! in the land of the living I will walk 
before Him, for right precious in his sight 
shall be the death of them which are his saints. 
Behold, how truly I am thy servant, Lord, 
33° the son of thine handmaiden. My bonds hast thou 
even knapped in sunder, wherefore unto thee 
I will offer, with thanksgiving, sacrifice, 
and call upon thy name. The Lord be praised !" 



The 

Parable of 
the vine ; 
and how 
the Lord 



Now Jesus spake a parable : "The true Vine 
335 am I, and my Father is the husbandman. 
And every branch that beareth not his fruit 
He taketh away, and purgeth every branch 
which bore, that much it bear. I am the Vine, 
the branches ye ; and whoso as a branch 

104 



THE PASSOVER 



speaketh 340 abideth in me, and I in him, the same 
plainly bringeth good fruit forth. But if any man 

to the - n me abjdg no t as a branch, cast out 
iscip es - s ^ e an( ^ w jthered, and men gather such 
with fire to burn them. Herein glorified 

345 shall be my Father that ye bear much fruit. 
Ye know if the world hate you, that before 
it hated me. Yea, verily, the day 
cometh that whosoever killeth you 
shall think he doeth God service, knowing not 

350 the Father. Yet many things have I to say ; 
but ye can not bear them now. Nevertheless 
it is expedient that I go away ; 
for if I go, from the Father will I send 
the Spirit which shall lead into all truth, 

355 and me — of mine receiving — glorify. 

All that the Father hath is mine. Till now 
in parables have I spoken unto you, 
yet lo, the time cometh and is at hand 
when of the Father plainly shall I shew : 

360 From him am I come forth into the world, 
again I leave the world and go to Him. 
And He, because ye love me, loveth you 
Himself." 

Jesus 

foretelleth The disciples say to Jesus : "Lo ! 

the scatter- now speakest thou plainly, and no parable ! 
ing of his 365 Now are we sure thou knowest all. By this 
anda?^ ^° We k eneve tnou earnest forth from God." 
forteth ^ n< ^ J esus > steadfastly regarding them, 
them saith : "Do ye now believe ? Behold the hour 

105 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



cometh, yea, and now is come, that ye shall all 
370 be scattered, leaving me alone. Yet I 
because the Father ever is with me 
am not alone. Be of good cheer : the world 
I have overcome." 



Jesus And he lifted up his eyes 

uttereth to heaven and prayed : ''Father, the hour is come, 
his high Qn earth j have gi or ift e d thee and finished the work 

sprayer t ^ 10u & avest me to do. O Father now 
for his w i tn thine own self (the glory which was mine 
disciples before the world was) glorify thou me. 

To the men thou gavest me out of the world 

380 I have made manifest thy name, and they 
believe that thou hast sent me, and that I 
came forth from thee. O Father, I pray for them. 
Lo, they are thine. Neither for these alone, 
but them, which through their word shall yet believe, 

385 I pray. To thee I come. Not of the world 
are these, as I am not. Thou sentest me ; 
so also send I them into the world, 
and them it hateth as it hateth me. 
Father, I pray thee not out of the world 

390 to take them, but that from the Evil One 

thou shouldest ever keep them. Through thy word 
sanctify thou them for whose sake I myself 
have sanctified. For unto them give I 
the glory which thou gavest me, that they 

395 may be made perfect, as we are, in One. 

And that the love, wherewith thou lovedst me 
from the foundation of the world, in them 
shall dwell, and I in them, and Thou in me." 

io6 



THE PASSOVER 



Jesus 
singeth an 400 
hymn with 
his 
disciples 
ere they 
go forth 

405 



410 



Then all, before they went forth, sang the hymn : 

"Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, 

and ever his mercy endureth. In distress 

I called, and the Lord heard me. On my side 

is He. What shall I fear that man can do? 

He is my strength, my joy, and is become 

my strong salvation. The right hand of the Lord 

hath the preeminence. The right hand of the Lord 

bringeth mighty things to pass. I shall not die, 

but live to praise His works who sheweth us light. 

Bless ye the Lord our God, for he is good, 

yea, and his mercy endureth evermore !" 



107 



Transcript VI 



C^e partem 



Jesus 
crosseth 
the brook 
Kidron 
with his 
disciples 



IO 



15 



So, having sung the hymn, went Jesus forth. 

and his disciples with him, to the Mount 

where was a garden whither he oftentimes 

on Olivet resorted ; and the place 

was known to Judas. Wherefore, when He crossed 

over the black brook, Kidron, Jesus saith : 

"Simon, Simon that he might sift you as wheat, 

Satan desired to have you. But for thee 

have I besought my Father, that thy faith 

fail not. Stablish, when thou art turned again, 

thy brethren also." Then Jesus spake : "Behold, 

ye shall be all offended in Me this night ; 

for it is written : 'the Shepherd of the flock 

I smote, and scattered were the sheep abroad/ 

But, after I am risen, into Galilee 

I go before you." 



Jesus 
fortelleth 
Peter's 
denial and 
warneth 
all the 
disciples oj 
spiritual 
danger 



"Whither" asked Peter "Lord, 
goest thou ? Why can I not follow Thee 
even now ? I am ready, Lord, with Thee to go 
into prison and to death ; and although all 
20 be offended because of Thee, yet will not I, 
but for thy sake I will lay down my life." 
"Wilt thou for my sake" Jesus saith "lay down 
thy life ? Yea, verily, verily this day 

in 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 

even this night, before the cock crow twice, 
25 thrice that thou knowest me shalt thou deny !" 
But Peter the more vehemently affirmed : 
"I will not in any wise deny thee, Lord, 
though with Thee I should perish" and the same 
said all the disciples also. Jesus spake : 
30 "When without purse I sent you and scrip and shoes 
lacked ye for anything? But now I say 
he that of you hath purse, or scrip likewise, 
shall take it ; and let him, which hath no sword, 
to buy one sell his garment." — "Lord," said they 
35 "Behold two swords !" But he : "It is enough." 



Jesus 
prayeth in 
an agony 
unto the 
Father 
thrice, and 
thrice re- 
proveth his 
disciples, 
Peter, 
James 
and John 



When He was come unto Gethsemane, 

upon the Mount of Olives, Jesus saith 

to his disciples : "Sit ye here, while I 

go yonder and pray." And taking James and John 
40 and Peter, He began to be sore amazed 

and very heavy, and saith to them : "My soul 

is exceeding sorrowful, yea, unto death. 

Tarry ye here, and watch with me a while." 

And forward He went a little, a stone's-cast 
45 withdrawn from them, kneeled down upon the ground, 

fell on his face and prayed, saying : "All things 

are possible, O my Father unto Thee. 

Take, take from me this cup. Nevertheless, 

not as I will, but as Thou wilt." From heaven 
50 an angel there appeared to strengthen him. 

But Jesus prayed the more instantly, his sweat 

falling in an agony upon the ground, 

yea, as it were great drops of blood. From prayer 



112 



THE PASSION 



Jesus then riseth up, and cometh again 

55 to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, 
and toucheth Peter saying: "Sleepest thou? 
What ? Couldest thou not watch with me, even thou 
Simon, one hour? Rise, watch and pray, lest ye 
enter into temptation ; for, in truth 

60 the spirit is ready, but the flesh is weak." 
And Jesus went away the second time 
and prayed, saying : "Abba, Father, O, if thou 
be willing remove from me this cup." And lo ! 
He cometh to Peter and James and John again, 

65 findeth them sleeping, and He saith to them : 

"Why sleep ye?" But with sorrow were their eyes 
heavy, nor wist they what to answer him. 
And Jesus once more saith "watch ye, and pray," 
and went and spake the third time the same words : 

70 "If this cup, O my Father, may not pass 
away from me except I drink of it — 
not my will, — Thine, be done." Then cometh He 
and saith to his disciples : "Sleep on, now, 
and take your rest ! It is enough. Behold, 

75 the hour is come. Betrayed into the hands 
of sinners is the Son of Man. Rise up, 
let us be going, for he draweth nigh 
that doth betray Me." 

Judas ap- And lo, while He yet spake 

proacheth immediately Judas came — one of the twelve, 
80 which knew the place — leading a band of men 
and officers, which the Pharisees, the chief Priests, 
the Scribes and the Elders of the people sent 

8 113 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



with swords and torches ; and a great multitude 
with staves and lanterns followed. 



Judas 
kisseth 
the Lord 



Jesus 
meeteth the 
multitude 
and they 
Jail to the 
ground 



Now, a token 
85 had Judas given : "Whomsoever I shall kiss 
that same is He. Take him and hold him fast, 
and lead him safely away." So Judas said, 
as soon as he drew nigh to Jesus : "Hail, 
Master !" and kissed Him. Jesus answered him : 
90 "Friend, wherefore art thou come ? The Son of Man 
betray est thou, Judas, with a kiss ?" 

All things 

knowing which yet should come on him, straightway 
went Jesus forth, and asked: "Whom seek ye here?" 
And they said : "Jesus of Nazareth !" — "I am He" 
95 He answered, and they fell back to the ground. 
A second time he asked "Whom seek ye?" and they 
answered again : "Jesus of Nazareth !" 
"That I am He I told you," Jesus said 
"If Me ye seek, leave these to go their way." 



Peter 
offereth 
to dejend 
the Lord ; 
whom 
Jesus 
answereth 



100 Peter said "Master, shall we with the sword 

smite them ?" stretched out his hand, and drew and 
smote 

Malchus therewith, a servant of the High Priest, 
and struck his right ear off. But Jesus said 
to Simon Peter : "Simon, into his sheath 
105 put up thy sword. For they which take the sword 
shall perish with the sword. What, thinkest thou 
I can not pray my Father and presently 

114 



THE PASSION 



more than twelve legions of angels shall He send ? 
But the cup my Father giveth me — must not I 
no drink it? For else, how should concerning Me 
the Scriptures of the Prophets be fulfilled ? 
Suffer thus far." 



Jesus 
giveth 
himself up 
unto the 
multitude 



And Jesus touched the ear, 
and forthwith healed it ; and spake in that same hour 
unto the multitude, the Captains, the Chief Priests 

115 and Elders: "As against a thief with swords 
and staves be ye come out to take me ? Daily 
Taught I not in the temple ? Yet your hands 
there to lay hold of Me ye stretched not forth. 
But this was done that the Scripture be fulfiled ; 

I2 o an d now is the power of Darkness — and your hour!" 
Wherefore the Captain and the Officers 
took Jesus, bound, and led him in their midst 
out of the Garden of Gethsemane 
in Olivet ; and his disciples all 

125 forsook him and fled. 



Jesus is 
brought 
before 
Annas: 
Peter 
denieth his 
Master 130 



Now the whole multitude 
Brought Jesus to the house of Annas first, 
the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who that year 
had been appointed in his room High Priest. 
And it was cold. Wherefore the officers 
and servants kindled in the hall a fire, 
and were set down together and warmed themselves. 
Now Peter had followed afar off, and stood 
without the palace porch to see the end ; 
so John, who being known to the High Priest 

115 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



135 entered with Jesus, to the damsel spake 

that kept the door, and forthwith brought him in. 
But the damsel saith to Peter : "Wast thou not 
with Jesus of Galilee ? Thou art also one 
of his disciples !" And Peter before all 

140 denied: "I am not, neither do understand 

whereof thou speakest !" Then he went and sat 
with the servants and officers, and warmed himself 
at the fire of coals. 



Annas But Annas rose and asked 

maketh Jesus concerning the doctrine which he taught, 
enquiry T ^ an( j di sc ipl e s, and He answered then : 
concerning^ "Openly spake I to the world, and ever 
doctrine taught in the temple and the synagogue 

and whither all men resort ; nor anything 
disciples spake I in secret. Wherefore askest thou me ? 
of Jesus 150 Ask them which heard Me! What I said, behold, 
they know !" When thus he had spoken, an Officer, 
which stood hard by, struck with the palm of the hand 
Jesus, saying: "Answerest thou the High Priest so?" 
But He made answer : "If I have spoken ill, 
*55 bear witness of that evil; but if well 
why smitest thou Me ?" 



Peter Then cometh one of the maids 

denieth of the High Priest, and looketh narrowly 

on Peter, and saith to them which stood near by 
"This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth. 
160 Thou art one of his disciples." With an oath 
Peter denied : "I do not know the Man." 

116 



the Lord 
again 
twice 



THE PASSION 



And the cock crew. After a little while, 
when he was gone into the porch, came they 
which stood about, saying : "Thou art surely one. 

165 Thou art a Galilean, for thy speech 

bewrayeth thee." And a servant of the High Priest, 

kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off, 

did confidently affirm : "Yea, of a truth 

thou art one of them. Saw I not thee with Him 

17° in the garden?" Peter began to curse and swear: 
"I know not what thou sayest, nor this Man 
of whom ye speak." And immediately the cock, 
while yet he spake, did crow the second time. 
And the Lord turned and looked on Simon, and he 

175 remembered how the Lord had said to him : 
"Before the cock twice crow, verily, thrice 
shalt thou deny me." And he went out, and wept 
bitterly. 



Jesus Now as soon as it was day, 

before t h e Chief Priests and the Elders and the Scribes 
^edareth were a ^ assembled and together held 
that he is * n t ^ ie P a ^ ace of Caiaphas council. Thither, bound, 
Christ, Annas sent Jesus likewise to the High Priest ; 
and is which sought for witness, but against Him none 
condemned found, although testifying many came — 
W e< and *^ false witnesses. But there arose at last 
mocked twain which did say : "We have heard that fellow boast 
"This temple made with hands will I destroy, 
and, without hands, build another in three days." 
Yet neither so their witness would agree. 
190 Then in the midst stood the High Priest and asked 

117 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus: "Thou answerest nothing? What is that 
which these against Thee witness?" But his peace 
He held, and answered not. So the high priest 
inquired again : "Tell us, art Thou the Christ ?" 

195 "If I shall tell you, ye will not believe; 
nor answer if I ask, nor let me go." 
But th' High Priest answered : "By the living God 
adjure I thee, that thou declare to us 
whether Thou be the Christ or no, the Son 

200 of the Blessed ?" Jesus answered : "Thou hast said. 
Nevertheless I say unto you, that ye 
hereafter shall behold the Son of Man 
seated on the right hand of power, and coming 
in clouds of heaven !" "Art Thou" then cried they all 

205 "The Son of God?" and Jesus said: "I AM." 

Forthwith the High Priest rent his clothes, and said : 
"What need of further witness ? Ye have heard 
of his own mouth the blasphemy he hath spoken. 
What think ye ?" To be guilty of death, they all 

210 condemned him. Then began the men, which held 
Jesus, to buffet Him, and in his face 
to spit ; and when they had blindfolded Him, 
the servants mocked and smote Him with their hands, 
saying: "Prophesy, thou Christ, who smiteth Thee?" 

215 And blasphemously many other things 
spake they against Him. 



Jesus is 
taken 
before Pon- 
tius Pilate 
and accused 



But straightway the Chief Priests 
held with the Rulers of the people and Scribes 
a consultation ; that the whole multitude, 
as soon. as it was morning, rose, and bound, 

118 



THE PASSION 



220 and from the palace of Caiaphas led away 
Jesus into the Governor's judgment hall; 
yet went not in themselves, lest for the feast 
they be defiled. So Pontius Pilate, then 
the Roman Governor, came forth, and asked : 
225 "What accusation bring ye against this Man?" 
And the Chief Priests made answer : "Unto thee 
would we deliver Him up if he were not 
a malefactor ?" and loudly they began 
to accuse Jesus : "We this fellow have found 
230 perverting the nation, forbidding that men pay 
tribute to Caesar, for that He himself 
is Christ, a king." And Pontius Pilate said : 
"Take Him yourselves, and according to your law 
judge Him." But the Chief Priests and Elders said: 
235 "It is not for us lawful to put any man 
to death." 

Wherefore into the judgment hall 
Pilate went in, and before him Jesus stood. 
"Art Thou," the Governor asked, "the King of the 
Jews?" 

Jesus made answer : "Sayest thou of thyself 
this thing, or did another tell it thee ?" 
"Am I a Jew?" said Pilate, "the Chief Priests, 
and thine own nation have delivered Thee 
into mine hand. What therefore hast thou done ?" 
But Jesus answered him : "Not of this world 
my kingdom is, else would my servants fight. 
But now is my kingdom not from hence." — "Art Thou 
a king then ?" Pilate asked the second time. 



Pontius 
Pilate 
examineth 
Jesus and 
declareth 
him 
innocent 2AO 



245 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus made answer : "Thou sayest that I am 

a king, and verily into the world came I 
250 for this same cause, and to this end was born, 

that I should witness bear unto the truth. 

Everyone, that is of the truth, heareth my voice." 

Then Pontius Pilate, saying : "What is truth ?" 

went out to the Chief Priests, Elders, and Scribes, 
255 and spake : "I find in the Man no fault at all." 

The When they accused him, Jesus answered not 
governor wherefore the Governor said to Him : "Behold, 
marV aUhe h ° W many things they witness against Thee." 
silence of ^ n( ^ J esus answered him to never a word, 
Jesus, and 260 i n so much that he greatly marvelled. They 

sendeth waxed notwithstanding the more fierce, and said : 
him unto "He stirreth up the people everywhere, 
Herod teaching throughout all Jewry to this place, 
beginning from Galilee." So soon therefore 
265 as Pilate knew that Jesus came indeed 
from Galilee, of Herod's jurisdiction, 
he sent Him unto Herod, who at that time 
was also in Jerusalem. 

Judas doth But when he saw 

repent him j esus was condemned of the Chief Priests, 

treason J uc ^ as re pented himself, and brought to them 

an( l the thirty pieces of silver, and said : "I have sinned, 
hangeth in that I did betray the innocent blood." 
himself But they made answer : "What is that to us ? 

See thou to it." So in the temple he cast 
275 the thirty pieces down, departed and went 

120 



THE PASSION 



and straightway hanged himself. But the chief priests 
the thirty pieces of silver took and said : 
"It is not lawful in the treasury 
to put them, for they be the price of blood." 
280 And after taking counsel, they bought therewith 
to bury strangers in, the potter's field : 
wherefore unto this day that field was called 
'Aceldama' (in their proper tongue, the field 
of blood). 



Herod Now, Herod, hearing at sundry times 

examineth 285 of the Lord's mighty works — and sore perplexed 
Jesus, and fof that gome gaid had appearec l ; 

jfiocketh 

him an< ^ °t ners > risen again, one of the old 

prophets ; and others some, that he was John, 
the Baptist, whom for an oath's sake himself 
290 in prison beheaded — had desired to see 
of a long season Jesus, and was glad 
exceedingly, and hoped that he would work 
some notable miracle. Wherefore, when the Chief 
Priests 

and Scribes had stood and vehemently accused 
. 295 Jesus in many words, Herod began 

to question with Him, but He would not speak. 
Then Herod arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, 
and with his men of war set Him at naught, 
and sent Him back unto the Governor. 
3°° But Pontius Pilate and Herod, at enmity 

between themselves before, were that same day 
made friends together ! 

121 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Pontius Now the Governor 

Pilate knew that for envy the Chief Priests and Scribes 
maketh delivered Jesus ; and yearly it was his wont 

attempts 3°^ to re ^ ease unto t ^ ie P eo P^ e at the feast 

to set one prisoner whomsoever they desired ; 
Jesus at and the people were gathered together that he should do 
liberty after his custom, and in the judgment seat 
Pilate was set. But his wife sent unto him, 

310 saying : "Have thou naught to do with this Just Man ; 
for I because of Him in dream this day 
have suffered many things." Then the Governor 
called the Rulers of the people and the Chief Priests 
and said to them : "Ye have brought this Man to me 

315 as one perverting the nation. And behold, 
I have examined Him before you, and found 
no fault in him as touching all those things 
whereof ye do accuse Him ; no, nor yet 
Herod, the tetrarch, to whom I sent you. Naught 

320 is done of him worthy at all of death. 

But a custom have you that I should release 
one prisoner at the Passover unto you. 
Him therefore, after I have chastised Him first, 
I will release." Then to the people he spake : 

325 "Whom will ye that I set at liberty 

Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Christ, 
King of the Jews ?" But the Elders and Chief Priests 
persuaded the multitude that they should ask 
Barabbas, the robber and murderer, and destroy 

330 Jesus ; so, when the Governor asked again : 
"Whether will ye of the twain that I release?" 
they cried aloud ; and the voices of the Chief Priests 

122 



THE PASSION 



prevailed : "Barabbas ! Barabbas ! Not this man." 
And the Governor spake, desirous to release 

335 Jesus : "What shall I do with Him ye call 

Christ, King of the Jews ?" And they with one accord 
cried out : "Let him be crucified !" Again 
asked Pilate: "Why, what evil hath he done?" 
And with loud voice the more exceedingly 

340 they cried out : "Crucify him ! Crucify !" 
Yet the third time spake Pilate unto them ; 
and they were instant all, requiring him 
that Jesus be put to death. The Governor, 
when nothing he prevailed, but rather saw 

345 a tumult made, caused water to be brought 
and washed his hands before the multitude, 
saying : "Behold, of the blood of this Just Man 
I am innocent. See ye to it." And they 
answered : "On us and on our children be 

35° his blood." So, Pilate, willing to content 
the people, released Barabbas unto them ; 
but Jesus he delivered to be scourged. 



The After the soldiers of the Governor 

soldiers ^ad stripped and scourged Him, they platted of sharp 
of the , , 

J thorns 
governor 

cruelly 355 a crown, clothed Him in purple, and put a reed 

mock Jesus in his right hand, and on his head the crown 

after that G f thorns, and bowed the knee to Him and mocked, 

he ls and began to worship Him and to salute, 
scourged . q{ the j ews » And in his face 

360 they spat, and took the reed out of his hand, 
and smote Him on the head. 



123 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Thrice When the governor 

again doth beheld him so, he went to the people and said : 

the "I^o, again I bring Him forth, that ye may know 

governor j jj- m nQ f au jt." And Jesus came 

attempt to . J 

release 3^5 weann g the crown of thorns, and scarlet robe, 

him and Pilate saith to them : "Behold the MAN." 

Howbeit when the Chief Priests and Officers saw 
they cried out : "Crucify Him ! Crucify !" 
"Take ye him then," saith Pilate "and crucify, 

370 for I have found no fault at all in Him." 

The Chief Priests said : "We have a law whereby 
because he made himself the Son of God 
He ought to die." When Pilate heard, he went 
the more afraid into the judgment hall 

375 and saith to Jesus: "Whence art Thou?" But he 
no answer made. "Answerest thou me not ?" 
saith Pilate, "Knowest thou not that I have power 
to crucify Thee, and power to release ?" 
Jesus saith : "Thou couldst have no power at all 

380 against Me, except it were given thee from above ; 
theirs that into thine hand delivered me 
is therefore the greater sin." Wherefore the more 
sought Pilate to release him. But th' Chief Priests 
cried out : "Thou art, if thou let this man go, 

385 not Caesar's friend ! Whosoever maketh himself 
king, against Caesar speaketh." The governor 
brought Jesus forth, and sat in the judgment seat 
and said : "Behold your King !" But they cried out 
"Away with him ! Crucify him ! Crucify !" 

390 And Pilate saith : "What, shall I crucify 

124 



THE PASSION 



your KING?" Then answered the Chief Priests, the 
Scribes, 

the Elders and all the people : "We have no KING — 
but Caesar !" So Pontius Pilate, the governor, 
delivered Jesus up unto their will 
395 to crucify Him. 



On the 
way to 
Golgotha 
Jesus 
comfort eth 
them that 
weep for 400 
him 



405 



When they had taken off 
the purple robe, with his own garment clad, 
they led Him forth outside the city gate 
to crucify Him ; and by the way they met 
Simon, the Cyrenean, whom they compelled 
to bear the cross of Jesus after him. 
Moreover there followed a great company 
of people, and women also which bewailed 
and lamented him. But Jesus turned and said : 
"For me, O daughters of Jerusalem, 
weep not, but for your children and yourselves. 
For lo ! the days come wherein men shall say 
to the mountains 'fall on us !' and to the hills 
'cover us F Blessed are the barren, the wombs 
that brought not forth, the breasts that gave not suck." 



Jesus is 410 
crucified, 
and he 
prayeth 
for them 
that in 
ignorance 4*5 



As they were therefore come unto the place 
called of the skull, — and in the Hebrew tongue 
Golgotha, Calvary — the soldiers mocked 
Jesus, and offered him wine mingled with myrrh, 
which, after he had tasted, He would not drink. 
Then stripped the soldiers all his raiment off, 
and laid Him on the cross, and drave the nails 



125 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



sinned piercing his hands and feet ; and over his head 
against made fast the superscription Pilate wrote, 

and set the cross upright ; and hanged the twain, 

420 which were led out with him to be put to death, 
upon his right hand one, and on his left 
the other malefactor. — In their midst, 
crucified, Jesus prayed for them : "O Father 
forgive them, for they know not what they do." 

425 Howbeit, the soldiers took, and in four parts 
parted his raiment, and his vesture woven 
from the top throughout, seamless, they would not rend, 
but said : "Let us cast lots whose it shall be." 
These things the soldiers did, and sat and watched. 

The 430 Much people also stood beholding Him, 
people and many passed that way, (for the place was nigh 
mock Jesus unto the cit y) w hich read the title writ 

hangeth m Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek : "This man 
on the 1S J esus of Nazareth, — the King of the Jews." 
cross 435 Wherefore to the governor the Chief Priests sent, 

saying : "Write thou not, we pray thee : 'King of the 
Jews' 

but that he boasted : 'I am the King of the Jews.' " 
And Pilate said "I have writ what I have writ." 
Nevertheless the people wagged their heads 

440 and railed at Jesus. "Thou that wouldst destroy 
the temple, and build it without hands again 
in three days, save Thyself ; yea, from the cross 
if Thou be Christ, the Chosen of God, come down." 
The soldiers also mocked him : "If Thou be 

445 King of the Jews, come down now from the cross." 

126 



THE PASSION 



Likewise the Chief Priests murmured among themselves 
with the Elders and the Scribes, deriding him : 
"Others he saved, himself he can not save ! 
let Christ, the King of Israel, from the Cross 
450 descend that we may see Him and believe ! 
In God he trusted, let God deliver him 
if God will have him, for Himself he called 
the Son of God." 

Jesus But, by the cross there stood 

careth the Mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, 
for his an( j Qf.jjgj.g a j so w hich had followed Him 
oere&ved 

mother from Galilee, and wept, and kissed his feet. 

When Jesus therefore saw his Mother, and John, 
he saith to Mary : "Woman behold thy son." 
And to the disciple whom he loved : "Behold 
460 thy Mother." And John took Mary from that hour 
to his own home. 

His word Now one of the two thieves 

of promise which hung to either hand of Jesus, cast 
to the thief the same words in his teeth wherewith the priests 
that had railed at him : "Save thou thyself and us, 
tohe 465 if Thou be Christ." But the other thief rebuked 
remem- his fellow : "Fearest thou not God, which art 
bered 0/ in the selfsame condemnation? — and justly we, 
the Lord receiving of our deeds the due reward, — 

yet nothing amiss at all hath this man done." 
470 To Jesus then he said : "Remember me 

when Thou art come into thy kingdom, Lord." 
And Jesus therefore answered : "Verily, thou 
shalt be to-day in Paradise with Me." 

127 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus At the sixth hour was darkness till the ninth. 
giveth up And about that hour cried Jesus with loud voice 
the ghost «£ loij £ loij » ( that is « My Qod} my God,") 

drinking "why hast thou forsaken me ?" And hearing Him, 

of the a soldier straightway ran and took a sponge 
vinegar and filled it full of vinegar, and spake : 
which the 4 8o "This man calleth Elijah!" But the rest 
soldiers said: "Let alone, and see whether Elijah 
^him w ^ come to save Kim !" Jesus cried again : 
"I thirst." And in the vessel of vinegar 
they dipped the sponge, and put it on a reed 
485 unto his mouth ; and knowing that all things 

accomplished were, that the Scripture be fulfiled 
Jesus received the vinegar, and drank 
saying : "It is fulfiled ! Father, into thy hands 
I commend my spirit," and cried with a loud voice 
49° and bowed his head, and yielded up the ghost. 

Portents And lo ! the sun was darkened, and in the midst 
and from top to bottom the vail of the temple tare, 
the hour of ^ e eart ^ <l ua k e d, and the rocks rent, and many graves 
the Lord's opened, and the bodies of the saints which slept 
death; the 495 arose and came out of the graves, and went 
conversion i n to the Holy City, and there appeared 
of the afterward unto many. When, therefore 
and the t ^ le centur i° n > watching Jesus, saw the earth 
fear of all quake, as he cried thus and gave up the ghost, 
save those 500 glorified God ; and they that with him were, 
that loved feared greatly, for he said : "This of a truth 

him was a righteous man, the Son of God." And all 
which had come forth together to the sight, 

128 



THE PASSION 



seeing those things, returned, and smote their breasts. 

505 But his acquaintance stood yet afar off, 

and the women which had ministered to him, 
Salome, amongst them, Mother of the sons 
of Zebedee, and Mary, Mother of James, 
with the other Mary, Mary Magdalene. 

5 10 And the thick darkness covered the whole land. 



9 



129 



Transcript VII 



The 
women go 
to the 
sepulchre 
on the 
first day 



IO 



As in the morning early it began 

to dawn toward the first day, the mother of James, 

Joanna, Salome, and Mary Magdalene, 

(which had, the even the Lord was crucified, 

brought spices sweet, and rested, as the Law 

commanded, on the Sabbath) went together 

to see the sepulchre where he was laid, 

and, with the precious ointment they prepared, 

to anoint his body. Wherefore among themselves 

they questioned : "Who from the door of the sepulchre 

shall roll us the stone away ?" 



Of the 
burial 
given to 
the body 
of Jesus 
by two 
disciples 



For a rich man 
honorable, good and just, which, secretly 
a disciple, waited for the kingdom of God, — 
Joseph of Arimathea, — had gone and begged 

15 boldly the body, whom the Governor 

gave leave to take it from the cross. Then came 
Nicodemus also, (which aforetime spake 
for Jesus,) bringing of aloes and of myrrh 
a mixture ; and they took' the body down 

20 and bare it, wound in a fine linen cloth, 

to Joseph's own new tomb where never man 
was laid before, hewn in a garden nigh 
to Golgotha, out of the rock. And Mary, 

133 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



The angel 
rolleth 
away the 
stone and 
Mary 
Magdalene 
runneth to 
tell Peter 
and John 



mother of James, and Mary Magdalene 
25 had followed after and beheld them roll 
a great stone to the door of the sepulchre. 

Now while it yet was dark, behold the earth 

quaked greatly, and the angel of the Lord 

from heaven descended, (and although the Scribes 

30 and the Chief Priests had made the sepulchre sure, 
and sealed the stone) he came and rolled it back 
and sat theron, his raiment white as snow 
his countenance like to lightning ; and the watch 
for fear of him did shake exceedingly, 

35 becoming as dead men. The women found, 
when therefore at the rising of the sun 
they came unto the sepulchre, the stone 
rolled back, and forthwith Mary Magdalene 
runneth to Peter and saith : "They have taken away 

40 the Lord, and where they have laid him know we not. 5 
And Peter and the disciple Jesus loved 
arose, and ran to see if it were so. 



The angel 
appeareth 
unto the 
other 
women 



But ere they came unto the sepulchre 
the women, which with Mary Magdalene 

45 had seen the stone rolled back, were sore perplexed 
beholding not the body of the Lord, 
and lo ! in shining garments standing by 
an angel, and they bowed their faces down, 
affrighted to the earth. And the angel spake : 

50 "I know that ye seek Jesus of Nazareth. 

Be not afraid. He is risen. Among the dead 
why seek ye here the Living ONE? Behold 

134 



THE RISEN CHRIST 



the place where the Lord lay, and quickly go 
and tell his disciples how that from the dead 

55 He is risen, and goeth into Galilee 

before you, where, as He said, ye shall see HIM. 
Lo, I have told you." From the sepulchre 
quickly the women fled ; nor by the way 
spake aught thereof to any man, amazed 

60 and trembling with great fear and joy. 



Peter and Now John 

John visit outran Peter and came to the sepulchre 
I iom ^ the first ; and stooping down, and looking, saw 
the angel ^ e ^ nen c l° tnes lying" apart. But Peter, 

following him, went in, and with him John, 
65 and saw the linen clothes, and by itself 

together wrapped the napkin which had been 
about the head of Jesus ; and they went, 
at what had come to pass much wondering, 
to their own home. 



Two But at the sepulchre 

angels 70 stood Mary Magdalene without, and wept 
nt a ^ eaT an d stooped and looked, and lo ! one at the head 
Magda- anc * at ^ e ^ eet ^ e otner > where had lain 
lene, and the body of Jesus, in long white raiment clothed, 
then the two angels sitting, which unto Mary say : 

Lord 75 "Woman, why weepest thou?" She saith to them: 
himself "They have taken away the Lord, and I know not 
where they have laid Him." Turning herself about 
when she had spoken thus, she saw the Lord, 
(but knew Him not,) who saith: "Why weepest thou 

135 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus 
appeareth 
also unto 
the other 
women 



As 

Cleophas 
and 
another 
disciple 
journeyed 
toward 
Emmaus 



80 woman ? Whom dost thou seek ?" She saith 
(supposing him to be the gardener) : "Sir, 
where thou hast laid Him, if thou have borne Him 
hence, 

tell me, and I will go, and take Him away." 
Jesus saith : "Mary !" and she turned herself 

85 and cried : "My Master," and held him by the feet 
and worshipped Him. But Jesus saith to her : 
"Touch me not, for not yet am I ascended 
unto my Father. Tell my brethren : Lo, 
I ascend unto my Father and your Father, 

9° my God and your God." 

While the other women 
yet ran to bring the apostles word, behold, 
Jesus met them saying : "All hail ! Be not afraid. 
Go, tell my brethren that in Galilee 
they shall behold Me !" Howbeit, when all these things 
95 were told the eleven, and such as mourned with them, 
and wept, — and that he had been seen alive, — 
as idle tales, their words believed they not. 

But two of them to Emmaus that same day went 
and talked together of what had come to pass. 

100 While thereabout they reasoned and communed, 
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them ; 
but holden were their eyes, nor knew they Him, 
who said : "What manner of communications these 
ye have the one with the other as ye walk 

105 thus sad at heart?" And Cleophas said: "Art Thou 
a stranger only in Jerusalem 

and hast not known the things which are these days 

136 



THE RISEN CHRIST 



Jesus 
joineth 
them, and 
reasoneth 
with them 

of the 
Christ and 

of his 
sufferings 



there to come to pass ? And Jesus said to them : 
"What things ?" — "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, 

IIO which was a prophet mighty in deed and word 

before God and all the people" (then answered they,) 
"how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him 
to be condemned to death and crucified : 
but we had trusted that it had been He 

n5 which should redeem Israel ! And besides all this, 
it is the third day since these things were done. 
Yea, and certain women of our company 
made us astonished, saying that they had seen 
a vision of angels (when at the sepulchre 

I2 o early, they found his body not) which said 
that Jesus was alive ! And twain of us 
went to the tomb and found it even so 
as said the women, but they saw not Him." 
Then Jesus spake : "O fools, and slow of heart ! 

125 Ought not Christ so to have suffered as ye say, 
to enter into his glory ?" And the things 
in all the Scriptures which concerned Himself 
beginning at Moses, made He clear to them. 



Jesus 

maketh 130 

himself 

known, 
and they 
hasten to 

tell the 
other 
disciples 

thereof 



135 



But when unto Emmaus they drew nigh 

He made as though he would have further gone ; 

and they constrained him saying : "Abide with us, 

for lo, it is toward evening, and the day 

far spent." Then tarried He. And, as at meat 

He sat him down with them, behold, He took 

bread, blessed it, brake, and gave to them thereof ; 

and opened were their eyes immediately, 

and they knew the Lord, who vanished from their sight. 

137 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Then said they one to another : "Did not our hearts 
burn hot within us when by the way He talked ?" 
140 And that same hour arose they, and returned 
unto Jerusalem, and found the eleven 
gathered together, and the residue 
that were at meat with them, and told them all, 
And how He was known to them in the Breaking of 
Bread. 

Jesus 145 But while they spake thus, some believing not, 
appear eth their word (and for fear of the High Priests and 

ZldpTes Scrib6S ' 
assembled tne doors being shut fast) Jesus himself appeared 

together in their midst standing, and saying : "Peace be unto 

in the up- you." 

per room they, supposing they had seen a spirit, 

15° were terrified. "Why are ye troubled?" He said. 
"Behold, it is I myself. Handle and see 
for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as I." 
Then shewed he them his wounded hands and feet, 
and also his side, which one of the soldiers pierced 
*55 (when dead they found him hanging on the cross, 
and freely blood and water flowed therefrom). 
Then were the disciples glad exceedingly. 

The Lord But Thomas, surnamed Didymus, of the twelve, 
appeareth w j 1Q was nQt w ^ t j iem w j len t h e y saw t h e Lord, 

Thomas 160 answere< ^ an d said: "Except in hands and feet 
vnd the ^ see tne print of the nails, and put therein 
rest of the My finger, and thrust my hand into his side 
disciples never will I believe." After eight days, 

the disciples being gathered within, the doors 

138 



THE RISEN CHRIST 

165 shut fast, came Jesus again saying: "Peace 
be unto you ! — Thy finger, Thomas reach, 
hither. Behold, and touch the wound prints of the 
nails, 

and thrust thy hand into my side. Nor be 
faithless !" But Thomas answered him, "My Lord 
170 yea, and my God !" — "Because thine eyes have seen 
believest thou ?" spake Jesus. "Verily, 
blessed be they which seeing not, shall believe !" 

Now Simon by the Lake of Galilee 
to Thomas, James, John and Nathaniel 
and other twain, disciples, saith : "I go 
a-fishing." And they say : "We go with thee." 
Forth went they therefore, and immediately 
entered into a ship, and nothing that night 
they caught. But in the morning on the shore 
stood Jesus (and they knew not it was He) 
which said: "My children, have ye any meat?" 
They answered him : "Nay, Master." "Cast" he said 
"your net to the right side, and ye shall find." 
Wherefore they cast, and were not able now 
to draw it for the multitude of fish. 
Then John saith unto Simon : "It is the Lord !" 
And Peter, girding his fisher's coat about, 
threw himself into the sea to reach the shore. 
The other disciples in a little ship 
came dragging the net. As soon as they were come 
to land, they saw a fire of coals, and fish 
and bread thereon. Saith Jesus : "Come and dine !" 
And none of them durst ask Him : "Who art thou ?" 



The Lord 
appeareth 
unto seven 
disciples 1 0 

by the 
Lake of 
Galilee 

180 



185 



190 



139 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



195 knowing that it was the Lord. Then took he bread 
and likewise fish, and gave them all thereof. 

Jesus thrice So, when they had broken fast, the Lord Jesus said : 
asketh "Simon, thou son of Jonah, lovest thou Me 

P his r iove M ° re than theSC l0VC Me? " Sim ° n Saith : " Yea - L ° rd ' 
and thrice Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus saith : 

chargeth 200 "Feed thou my lambs." And asked a second time : 

him, and "Simon, thou son of Jonah, lovest thou Me?" 

rebuketh he saith : "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love 

him for Thee." Jesus answered : "Tend my sheep." Again 
desiring to . ; . . J \ 0 

know more t " e tniI "d time Jesus saith: Lovest thou Me, 

than his 205 Simon thou son of Jonah ?" Peter then 

own duty was grieved, and said : "All things thou knowest, Lord. 

Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus saith : 

Feed thou my sheep. And verily, verily 

Simon, I say unto thee : when thou wast young 

210 thou girdedst thyself, and wentest whither thou 

would'st ; 

but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth 
thy hands, and another shall gird and carry thee 
whither thou wouldest not." When he had spoken thus 
He saith : "Follow Me." Peter, turning him about, 

215 saw then the disciple Jesus loved, which leaned 
at supper on his breast, following Him, 
and Peter said : "Lord, what shall this man do ?" 
And Jesus answered : "If I will that he 
tarry until I come, what is that to thee? 

220 Follow thou Me !" 



Jesus Then went into the Mount 

£™ e l h J k f, where Jesus had appointed them, the eleven, 

140 



evangelical 



THE RISEN CHRIST 



com- and saw and worshipped Him. And Jesus spake : 
mission "All power in heaven and earth is given to me ; 
unto his g Q y e ^ an( j teach all nations, and baptize 
p 225 in the Name of the Father, therefore, and of the Son 
and of the Holy Ghost. And lo, with you 
alway, even unto the end of the world am I." 
And they said : "Lord, so be it. Amen. Amen." 

Jesus Now when the forty days drew to a close 

giveth his 230 since he was risen, He in Jerusalem 

^ki^ast assembled his disciples together and taught, 

instruc- an< ^ °P ene< ^ their understanding, how it behooved 

Hon and tne Christ to suffer so, and the third day 

repeateth to rise, and that remission of sins be preached 

the com- 235 among all nations in his Name. "And ye" 

™r each the He Said "° f ^ theSC thingS are witnesses - 
Gospel Behold, I send the promise of my Father 
upon you, wherefore in Jerusalem 
tarry, until with power from on high 

240 ye be endued." And out toward Bethany 
He led them upon Olivet, and they asked : 
"Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again 
to Israel the kingdom ?" And he said : 
" 'T is not for you to know the times, which none 

245 knoweth ; yea, not the Son, but the Father only, 
which in his power hath put them. But, ye shall 
not many days hence be with the Holy Ghost 
baptized, and power shall ye receive that ye 
may unto the uttermost part of the whole earth 

250 be witnesses to Me. Then go ye forth 

and preach My Gospel to every creature, and he 

141 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



Jesus 
ascendeth 
unto 
heaven, 
and angels 
bid his 
disciples 
return 
into the 
holy city 



The 
descent of 
the Holy 
Spirit 



whosoever believeth shall cast out in my Name 
devils, and speak with new tongues ; and if serpents 
he take up, or drink of any deadly thing 
255 it shall not hurt him ; and he shall lay his hands 
upon the sick, and they shall recover them 
of their diseases." 

So, while yet he spake 
He lifted up his hands, and blessing them 
was parted from them, and carried into heaven, 

260 an d of a cloud received out of their sight, 
and sat him down at the right hand of God. 
While yet he went up, steadfastly toward heaven 
they looked, and worshipped Him. And lo, two men 
stood by in white apparel arrayed, which said : 

265 "Ye men of Galilee, wherefore stand ye here 
upgazing into heaven ? Behold, this same 
Jesus which into heaven is taken, yea, HE 
shall in like manner come, as into heaven 
ye have this day seen Him go." And with great joy 

27c unt o Jerusalem from Mount Olivet 

returned they then ; and they were praising God 
in the temple, and blessing Him continually. 

When the day of Pentecost was fully come, 
and the disciples all, with one accord, 
275 were in one place assembled — (the upper room 
where they in prayer and supplication abode 
with Mary the Mother of Jesus) suddenly 
as of a rushing and a mighty Wind, 
there came a sound from heaven which filled the house ; 
280 and cloven tongues like as of Fire appeared, 

142 



THE RISEN CHRIST 



which sat on each of them, and they were all 
filled with the Holy Ghost. And they began, 
to speak aloud as the Spirit gave them utterance, 
with other tongues. 



There Now in Jerusalem 

came unto 285 there were of every nation under heaven 

the devout men gathered against the feast ; which came 
together, when it was noised abroad, and said 



disciples 



many 

devout men one to another, confounded and amazed : — 

"What, are not these which speak Galileans all ? 

290 How then do we hear them speaking every one 
in our own tongues wherein each of us was born ? 
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, inhabitants 
of Mesopotamia, Pontus, Asia, 
Phrygia, Pamphilia, Cappadocia, 

295 dwellers in Egyt, the parts of Lybia 
about Cyrene, sojourners from Rome, 
both Jews and proselytes, Arabians, Cretes, 
we hear them tell the wonderful works of God !" 



unto whom 
Peter 
preacheth 
that Jesus 
is Christ ; 
and the 
Church 
waxed 
strong 



But Peter, standing up with the eleven 
300 preached to them Jesus crucified and risen, 

both Lord and Christ. And they which did receive 
gladly his word, and were on that same day 
baptized of him, numbered three thousand souls, 
which in the apostle's doctrine steadfastly 
305 abode with joy and singleness of heart, 

in fellowship, Breaking of Bread, and prayers. 
And they had all things common ; sold their goods, 
and parted them as every man had need. 

143 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



And many miracles and signs were wrought 
310 in the name of the Holy One, the Prince of Life, 
at the hands of the apostles ; for they gave 
witness with power of the rising of the Lord. 
And they had favor with the people, and grace 
was on them all, and fear in every soul ; 
3*5 yea, in so much that daily to the Church 

were added many whom the Lord would save ; 
and the number of the disciples multiplied. 
But the Chief Priests were cut to the quick and grieved 
that in the Name of Jesus Christ they preached 
320 the resurrection from the dead. 



the Church 
of Christ 



Of Saul's Then 'rose 

wrath a grievous persecution of the Church ; 
against an( j zea i 0 us toward God was Saul, in Tarsus born, 
a city of Cilicia, but brought up 
after the straitest sect a Pharisee, 
325 in Jerusalem sitting at Gamaliel's feet. 
And verily he thought within himself 
that all things contrary unto the Name 
of Jesus of Nazareth he ought to do. 
And entering into every house, Saul haled 
330 (having from the Chief Priests authority) 
both men and women, many of the saints, 
and cast them into prison ; punishing some 
in every synagogue, and to blaspheme 
compelling others, he also gave his voice 
335 when they were put to death. Howbeit the Church 
throughout Judaea and Samaria 
scattered abroad, preached everywhere "the Way." 

144 



THE RISEN CHRIST 



But Saul, when he had heard thereof, was mad 
exceedingly, and breathed out threatenings 

34° and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. 
And of the Priests and Elders he desired 
letters unto the synagogues, giving him 
commission from strange cities to bring back 
all, whether men or women, of "this Way" 

345 whom he might take, bound to Jerusalem. 



On the Wherefore, Saul, toward Damascus journeying, 
way to thought by the way how Stephen, full of faith 
^k^call an< ^ P ower ' amon §' people so great miracles 
ethtomind had wrou g ht > tin certain of the synagogue 
the mar- 35° of the Libertines, unable to resist 
tyrdom the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake, 
of Stephen had stirred up the Elders of the people and the Scribes, 
and come upon him, and caught him ; and suborned 
false witnesses which said : "We have heard him speak 
355 against Moses blasphemous words and against God." 
And all that sat in the council saw his face, 
as though it had been the face of an angel looking 
steadfastly into heaven, and he said : — "Behold 
I see the heavens opened, and the glory of God, 
360 and the Son of Man, Jesus of Nazareth, 

standing at the right hand of the Holy One !" 
Then cried they out with a loud voice, and gnashed 
their teeth, and stopped their ears, and ran on him 
with one accord, and out of the city cast 
365 Stephen, and stoned him. And the witnesses 
had laid their clothes down at the feet of Saul. 
And Saul remembered him how Stephen prayed 
10 145 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



as they were stoning him : "My spirit receive, 
Lord Jesus," and kneeling down, had cried again : 
370 "Lord Jesus, lay not to their charge this sin." 

The vision As Saul, thus pondering all within himself, 
of Jesus came nigh unto Damascus, suddenly 

that there shined, above the brightness of the sun 
unto Saul at ^ a ^' roun( ^ a bout him a great Light 
by the way 375 from heaven. And Saul, and they that with him were 
fell to the earth ; and Saul did hear a Voice 
which said: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?" 
Wherefore Saul answering cried : "Who art thou 
Lord?" 

And the Lord said : "I am Jesus of Nazareth 
380 whom thou dost persecute. Lo, it is hard 

for thee to kick against the pricks." And Saul 
spake, trembling and astonished : "What wilt thou 
Lord, 

have me to do ?" And the Lord said : "Arise ! 
and stand upon thy feet. I have appeared 

385 to make of thee a minister, and send 

unto the Gentiles, thee — that thou should'st turn, 
opening their eyes, from darkness unto light 
many, — from the power of Satan unto God — 
that they receive forgiveness of their sins, 

390 and (among them which are, by faith in Me 
sanctified,) an inheritance. Behold, 
of these things, thou hast seen, and also those 
wherein I will appear yet unto thee, 
I make thee witness. Wherefore rise and go 

395 into Damascus. There thou shalt be told 

146 



THE RISEN CHRIST 



what things soever I have appointed thee 
to do." From the earth then Saul arose and saw 
for the glory of the great light which he had seen 
no man ; and was into Damascus led 
400 by them which were with him to the street called 
Straight 

where at the house of Judas he abode, three days 
praying, without sight, neither did eat nor drink. 



Saul And Ananias came to him, a man 
recovereth devout according to the law, and said : 
his sight 405 "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared 
in the way as thou earnest hither, sendeth me, 
that thou through me mightest thy sight receive, 
and with the Holy Ghost be filled." Forthwith 
from the eyes of Saul there fell as it had been scales, 
4 10 and he received his sight. And Ananias said : 

"The God of our Fathers hath chosen thee to know 
His will, and that the Just One thou shouldst see, 
and hear the voice of his mouth. Why tarriest thou? 
Arise and be baptized, and wash away 
415 thy sins, and on the Name of the Lord Jesus call." 

and Immediately Saul arose and was baptized 
preacheth an( j preached Christ in the Synagogues, that indeed 
that Jesus He is the Son of And tl amaze d 

ts very „ . ,._ « . , » . < 

Christ were a "> saying : Is not this the man which came 
420 to bring back bound unto Jerusalem 

them of that Way?" And Saul increased in strength 
and confounded them which at Damascus dwelt. 
Now many other things did Jesus do, 

147 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



but these are written that ye might believe 
425 Jesus is very Christ, and Son of God ; 
and that believing, ye might in his Name 
have life. Behold he cometh quickly. Amen. 
Even so, Lord Jesus come ! Amen. Amen. 



148 



Transcript VIII 

a M&oxi of m Last C^ingss 



On the day 
of the 
creation of 
light and 
of the 
Lord's 5 
resurrec- 
tion a 
vision is 
vouchsafed 

wherein is 
seen the 
Son of man IO 
riding 
forth to 
war 
against 
the wicked 
of earth _ - 



I 

Behold, on the Lord's day 
(whether out of the body, God 
knoweth, I can not tell.) 
caught up to Paradise 
I heard in the third heaven 
unspeakable things, for man 
unlawful to utter. 

2 

For, as of a trumpet, cried 
behind me a great Voice : 
"I am Alpha and Omega 
the First, the Last." 
Then open beheld I the heaven, 
and lo ! a white horse, 
and He which rideth thereon 
hath eyes as flame of fire ; 
the crowns upon his head 
are many, and red in blood 
his vesture is dipped and dyed. 
For the winepress of the wrath 
and fierceness of the Almighty 
He hath trod alone, and war 

151 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



He maketh in righteousness. 
The nations smiteth He all, 
and ruleth them every one 

25 with a rod of iron ; his Name 
is writ upon his vesture : 
the Faithful, the True 
the Word of God, the King 
of Kings, and the Lord 

30 of Lords ! 



with him 
are the 
armies oj 
heaven, 
which sing, 
of their 
divine 
Captain as 
they ride 
to battle 



In fine linen 
white and clean — 
the righteousness of saints — 
arrayed, 
35 riding on horses white, 
behold, 

the armies which are in heaven, 
the Hosts of the living God, 
follow Him ; yea, and who 

40 shall tell the number of them : 
ten thousand times ten thousand, 
thousands of thousands, more 
than the sand by the shore of the sea, 
than the stars for multitude, 

45 crying with a loud voice 
as the voice of many waters, 
yea, and as the voice 
of mighty thunderings : — 
"Worthy is the Lion, 

50 the Lion of the tribe 

152 



A VISION OF THE LAST THINGS 



55 



of Judah, that coucheth him 
when gone up from the prey. 
Yea, worthy is the Lamb, 
He which was slain, to receive 
power and riches 
and wisdom and strength 
and honour and glory 
and blessing fore verm ore !" 



The hosts 
of the 
adversary 
of the 
Lord 
Christ are 
mustered 
to meet 
the armies 
of heaven 



Behold ! 
60 The horsehoofs stamp 
by reason of the prancings, 
the prancings of the mighty ! 
Behold! 

How they go forth 
65 conquering and to conquer ! 

For on them which pleasure take 
in all iniquity, 

which neither the love of the truth 

nor the knowledge of God receive, 
70 a strong delusion is sent 

that they should put their trust 

in a lie. And lo ! 

that wicked (Antichrist, 

the Son of Perdition,) 
75 above all, that as God 

is worshipped Of men, 

exalteth himself ; and with power, 

with signs, and wonders deceitful, 

after the working of Satan, 

153 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



So sheweth that he is God 
in the temple of the Lord : 
and his hosts assemble them 
to make war upon the Lamb, — 
for the Prince of darkness 

85 the Father of lies, 

against the Lord of Light 
and of Life. 



A prophecy 
of the utter 
defeat and 
slaughter 
of the 
hosts of 
darkness 



Hark ! unto all the fowls 
that fly in the midst of heaven 
90 cryeth an angel which standeth 
in the glory of the sun : 
"Come hither and gather yourselves 
unto the supper together 
of the most holy God ; 
95 and eat ye the flesh of kings, 
the flesh of captains, the flesh 
of mighty men, of horses 
and of them that sit thereon, 
the flesh of free and bond, 
100 the flesh of small and great." 



The Lord 
Christ 
judgeth 
the hosts 
of the 
defeated 105 



Behold! 

The Lord himself 

descendeth from heaven 

with a shout ! 

And every enemy 

He putteth under his feet. 

154 



A VISION OF THE LAST THINGS 



ness 



and slain with the spirit of his mouth 
enemies of He consumeth them utterly 
righteous- an( j w j t j 1 brightness of his coming 
no destroy eth He them. They drink 
of the wine of the wrath of God 
without mixture into the cup 
of his indignation poured. 
Suddenly into the lake 
115 of flaming fire they are cast ; 
tormented world without end 
in the presence of the angels, 
and the presence of the Lamb ! 
And, of their torment, lo ! 
120 forever and ever the smoke 
ascendeth, and day nor night 
have the unholy rest ! 



and prom- 
iseth a 
blissful j 2 j. 
resurrec- 
tion to his 
servants 
dead 

130 



135 



Then heard I a voice 
out of heaven proclaim : 
"Blessed from henceforth are 
the dead which die in the Lord, 
for they from their labor have rest, 
and their good works follow them ! 
Behold ! a mystery : 
in a moment, at the last trump, 
in the twinkling of an eye, 
their corruptible hath put 
incorruption on, their mortal 
in the image of the heavenly 
hath immortality indued ; 

155 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



yea, and death is swallowed up 
in victory forever ! 



In heaven 
multitudes 140 

gather to 
celebrate 
the victory 



145 



I50 



8 

Then saw I yet in heaven 

another sign — marvellous 

and great — as it were a sea 

of crystal mingled with fire ; 

and they which had gotten them 

the victory, stand 

on the sea of glass holding 

the harps of God ; 

and they sing the song 

of the Lion, 

and they sing the song 

of the Lamb : 



with a 
song of 
damna- 
tion ; and 
of eternal 
life unto 155 
him that 
overcometh 
in the 
Name of 
Christ 

160 



"It is done ! 

I am Alpha and Omega, 
the Beginning and the End. 
Behold, 

the fearful, the unbelieving, 
the abominable of earth, 
the murderers, the sorcerers, 
the idolaters, and all 
which make a lie, their part 
is in the lake which burneth 
with brimstone and with fire. 

156 



A VISION OF THE LAST THINGS 



(i) 

"But he that overcometh— 

shall not by the second death 
be hurt, nor by the worm 
65 which dieth nevermore. 

(2) 

"Lo ! he that overcometh — 

shall in raiment white be clothed, 
and his name will I confess 
before my Father in heaven. 

(3) 

70 "Lo ! he that overcometh^- 

if he hunger I will give him 
the fruit of the tree of life 
which groweth in the midst 
of the Paradise of God ; 

75 and, if he thirst, of the fountain 
of the water of life will I give, 
that he may freely drink. 

(4) 

"Lo ! he that overcometh — 

I will make a pillar of him 
80 in the temple of my God, 

whence he shall go out no more ; 
and I upon him will write 
the name of my God, the name 
of the New Jerusalem, 
85 yea, and mine own new Name. 
157 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 



(5) 

"Lo ! he that overcometh — 

and keepeth my works to the end, 
power will I give to him 
over the nations to rule 
190 with a rod of iron, and break 
as a potter's vessel to shivers 
their might ; and I will give him 
the gift of the morning star ! 

(6) 

"Lo! he that overcometh — 
195 all things shall he inherit; 
and I will be his God, 
and he shall be my Son. 

(7) 

"Lo ! he that overcometh — 

I will grant him with me to sit 
200 in my throne, even as I overcame 
and am set in my Father's throne." 

10 

Behold, 

on the Lord's day, 
(whether out of the body, God 
knoweth, I can not tell,) 
I heard, out of the Throne 
in heaven, a Voice which cried : 
"Praise ye the Lord our God 
all ye his servants, ye 

158 



Further- 
more a 
vision is 
vouchsafed 

of the 2 °5 
gathering 
of all the 
blessed 



A VISION OF THE LAST THINGS 



210 which fear him small and great, 
which differ as sun from moon 
in glory, as star from star, 
shout ye and sing for joy !" 



II 

to sing a Then heard I in Paradise 

hymn 0/215 praising the Lord, the voice 

praise to ag of a m jgh ty mu ltitude, 
God, the , « £ 

Father aS r0aI " 0 man y waters > 

unto his as o£ mighty thunderings : 

holy Son, 

the Cap- ( I ) 

tain of « We giye thee t hanks, O Lord, 

in the 220 Ahruglity God, which art, 

unity of an< ^ wast , and art to come, 

the One because thou takest to thee 

Divine thy great power, and dost reign ! 
Spirit Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, 

225 for the Lord, the God Omnipotent, 
reigneth, Amen, Amen! 

(2) 

"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, 

and glorify thy name ? 

Thou only art holy, O God ; 
230 thy judgments are manifest 

that all worlds worship thee. 
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, 
for the Lord, the God Omnipotent, 
reigneth, Amen, Amen ! 

159 



THE CHRIST OF THE AGES 
(3) 

235 "The End hath come, and all things 
are under the feet of the Lamb ; 
and the Son himself, behold, 
is subject unto the Father, 
that God may be all in all. 
240 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia 

for the Lord, the God Omnipotent, 
reigneth, Amen, Amen ! 

(4) 

"Let us rejoice, and be glad 
and give honor to the Lamb, 
the marriage, the marriage is come, 
the feast is made ready in heaven, 
the friends of the Bridegroom are called 
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, 
for the Lord, the God Omnipotent, 
reigneth, Amen, Amen ! 

(5) 

"The Bride hath arrayed herself 
in white ; without wrinkle or spot, 
holy, no blemish hath She ! 
Blessed are they which be called 
to the marriage of the Lamb : 
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, 
for the Lord, the God Omnipotent 
reigneth world without end. 
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia 
Amen !" 

160 



245 



250 



255 



260 



AFTERWORD 



T is with strange emotions that the -final revision 



of the proof is ended. Has it been irr event so to 
use the Holy Scriptures — in an attempt to limn the 
portrait of the God Man? Is the result such as to 
justify the pains, the scruples, the doubts, and fears? 
It has lain now nearly four years complete, unpub- 
lished for lack of courage. One friend complained: 
why, you do nothing for me I could not have done 
for myself. Another: but the Sermon on the Mount 
is omitted! Another: you have unscrupulously dis- 
regarded all modern scholarship ! Another: why, you 
invent nothing of any consequence — and I wanted a 
new Jesus! So it remained in my desk — occasionally 
looked at with misgiving and remorse. 

Yet now that it is in print, I am glad. I did not 
desire to invent, discover, analyze and synthetise 
afresh, and I am glad I did not. After all it is not 
what I think, or you, or Strauss, or Nietzsche or some 
latter day Athanasius that greatly imports. It is what 
n 161 




AFTERWORD 



the world has vaguely felt to satisfy its demand — the 
Jesus it has seen in the Bible, in its own heart and 
whom it craves to make its Lord and God — crying out 
desperately "I believe, help thou mine unbelief* — it 
is that Jesus who alone can be King of kings, and 
make of earth his heaven; who should and will be 
painted, preached, sung, and worshipped. For, ulti- 
mately, need is the true teacher; and this Jesus hath 
been by need revealed of the Holy Ghost. The hungry 
knoweth bread. That which satisfyeth the hungry is 
Bread. He that worketh hard and beareth the burden 
of the day is authority. Who then will choose to be 
Author rather than Compiler? 

So this Poem in Transcripts is sent forth as a 
Poem, not as a doctrinal treatise, a "Tendenz Schrift" 
— but a Poem — in transcripts — with all humility; yet 
with an abiding faith also that it will serve some souls, 
and bless them zvith a clearer vision of Man, and the 
Son of Man — which is God. 



162 



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